2013.12.19 word (week15-4)

1. encumber(v.)

[+ obj] somewhat formal 1)  : to make (someone or something) hold or carry something heavy — usually used as (be) encumbered 

 ▪ We were encumbered by our heavy coats and boots.

 ▪ encumbered [=burdened] by equipment and supplies

  — often used figuratively

 ▪ The company is encumbered with debt.

2) : to cause problems or difficulties for (someone or something)
▪ These rules will only encumber the people we're trying to help. 

▪ Lack of funding has encumbered the project.

 — usually used as (be) encumbered 

▪ Peace talks have been encumbered by a mutual lack of trust.

*encumbrance  (n.)  [count]
▪ the encumbrances of equipment and supplies  

▪ These rules will only be an encumbrance.

2. partridge (n.)

[count] : a brown bird with a round body and short tail that is often hunted for food and sport

 

3.preoccupation(n.)

 

[count] 1) : a state in which you give all your attention to something

 — usually + with

▪ I don't understand her preoccupation with her appearance.

2)  : something that you give all or most of your attention to
▪ We need to better understand the problems and preoccupations of our clients.

4.synchronous(a.)
formal + technical : happening, moving, or existing at the same time
▪ synchronous developments/movements

5.wholesome(a.)

 

[more wholesome; most wholesome] 

1) : helping to keep your body healthy : good for your health
▪ wholesome [=healthy, nutritious] meals/snacks

▪ a wholesome dish made with vegetables

▪ a wholesome diet

2)

a : morally good
▪ wholesome family values

▪ less-than-wholesome entertainment that wasn't appropriate for children
b : suggesting good health or behavior
▪ a young actor known for his wholesome good looks

*wholesomeness (n.)[noncount]

2013.12.18 word (week15-3)

1.compartment

[count]
1) : an enclosed space or area that is usually part of something larger and is often used to hold a specific thing
▪ The suitcase has a zippered compartment for personal items.

2) : one of the separate areas of an automobile, train, or airplane 

▪ the baggage compartments ▪ the passenger compartment ▪ the engine compartment
 

 

*compartmental (a.)
▪ a compartmental design

*compartmented  (a.)
▪ compartmented metal trays [=metal trays that have separate compartments]

2.aptly(a.)

[or more apt; most apt]

1 ) : likely to do something : having a tendency to do something

 — followed by to + verb 

 ▪ Don't wake him; he's apt to become angry.

2) : appropriate or suitable
 ▪ “Stripe” is an apt name for the cat, since she has striped fur.

3) : quick to learn
▪ a very apt student/pupil

 

*aptly ( adv.)
▪ The cat is aptly named “Stripe.”

*aptness (n.)

[noncount]
▪ the aptness of the remarks

 

3.spinoff(n.)

[count] 1) : a television program, movie, book, etc., that is based on characters from another television program, movie, book, etc. 

▪ a spin-off of a hit TV show ▪ The comic book is a spin-off of the movie.

2) : a new company created by a large company
▪ companies that are spin-offs of large corporations

3) : something useful that results from work done to produce something else
▪ spin-offs [=by-products] of space research

 

4.ephemeral(a.)

[more ephemeral; most ephemeral] : lasting a very short time 

▪ His fame turned out to be ephemeral. [=short-lived]

5.endorse(v.)
[+ obj] 1 ) : to publicly or officially say that you support or approve of (someone or something)
▪ The newspaper has endorsed the conservative candidate for mayor.

2) : to publicly say that you like or use (a product or service) in exchange for money 
▪ That brand of sneaker is endorsed by several basketball stars.

3) : to write your name on the back of (a check)
▪ You must endorse the check before you deposit it in the bank.

4) Brit : to put information about a driving offense on (a person's driver's license)

 — usually used as (be) endorsed 

▪ His driving license was endorsed for speeding.

*endorser (n.)

 

 

 

 

 

 

2013.12.17 word (week15-2)

1.expel (v.)[+ obj]
1) : to officially force (someone) to leave a place or organization
▪ The club may expel members who do not follow the rules.
2) : to push or force (something) out
▪ expel air from the lungs

2.escalate(v.)/ˈɛskəˌleɪt/
1) : to become worse or to make (something) worse or more severe
[no obj] ▪ The conflict has escalated into an all-out war.
[+ obj] ▪ We are trying not to escalate the violence.

2) : to become greater or higher or to make (something) greater or higher
[no obj]

▪ Salaries of leading executives have continued to escalate.

3.erode(v.)/ɪˈroʊd/ : to gradually destroy (something) or to be gradually destroyed by natural forces (such as water, wind, or ice)
[+ obj] ▪ Crashing waves have eroded the cliffs along the beach.
— often used as (be) eroded ▪ The shoreline was badly eroded by last winter's storms.
— often used figuratively ▪ Years of mismanagement have eroded the quality of their products.[no obj] ▪ The shoreline has eroded badly.
—

often used figuratively

▪ Support for the new law has been eroding steadily.

4.erect(v.)/ɪˈrɛkt/ 1) [more erect; most erect] : straight up and down
▪ She sat erect, listening for her name.

2) : in a state of erection because of sexual excitement : swollen and stiff
▪ an erect penis

▪ erect nipples

5.entitle(v.)/ɪnˈtaɪtl̟/ [+ obj] 1) : to give a title to (something, such as a book)
▪ He entitled his book “My Life on Mars.”

2) : to give a right to (someone)
— + to ▪ The card entitles us to a discount. [=we can get a discount because we have this card]
— often used as (be) entitled ▪ I'm entitled to a refund. [=I should be given a refund]
▪ You're entitled to your opinion. [=I don't agree with you, but you are free to think what you want]

 

 

 

2013.12.16 word (week15-1)

1.dissolve (v.)1) of something solid : to mix with a liquid and become part of the liquid [no obj] ▪ Sugar/salt dissolves in water. [+ obj] ▪ Dissolve the tablet in water.

2) [+ obj] formal : to officially end (something, such as a marriage, organization, or agreement)
▪ She dissolved [=terminated] their partnership.
— often used as (be) dissolved

▪ The marriage/business/government was dissolved.

3) somewhat formal : to end or disappear or cause (something) to end or disappear
[no obj] ▪ His smile dissolved [=disappeared] when I told him the news.
[+ obj] ▪ His kind words dissolved her sadness.

 

 

2.diminish(v.)1) : to become or to cause (something) to become less in size, importance, etc.
 [+ obj] ▪ The passing years did nothing to diminish [=decrease, lessen] their friendship.
[no obj] ▪ My interest in the subject has steadily diminished. [=dwindled]

2) [+ obj] : to lessen the authority or reputation of (someone or something)
▪ Nothing could diminish the importance of his contributions. : to describe (something) as having little value or importance

3.discard(v.)[+ obj] 1) : to throw (something) away because it is useless or unwanted
▪ Remove and discard the stems.
— often used figuratively

▪ Many of his original theories have been discarded [=rejected] in recent years.

2) : to remove (a playing card) from your hand in a card game

▪ She discarded the six of hearts.

4.deteriorate(v.)1) [no obj] : to become worse as time passes
▪ The weather gradually deteriorated [=worsened] as the day went on. fight]

2) [+ obj] : to make (something) worse

▪ Exposure to rain and sun will gradually deteriorate the paint.

5.deter(v.)

[+ obj] 1) : to cause (someone) to decide not to do something
▪ Some potential buyers will be deterred by the price. — often + from

▪ They hoped that the new law would deter advertisers from making false claims.

2) : to prevent (something) from happening
▪ He played an important role in international efforts to deter [=prevent] nuclear war.

 

2013.12.13 word (week14-5)

1.flip(v.)1) [+ obj] : to turn (something) over by throwing it up in the air with a quick movement
▪ flip a coin

2) : to cause (something) to turn or turn over quickly
[+ obj] ▪ She was sitting in the waiting room, flipping the pages of a magazine.
3) [+ obj] a : to move (something) with a quick light movement 
▪ flip a switch
b : to turn (something) on or off with a switch
▪ flip on the radio/TV

4) [+ obj] : to throw (something) with a quick movement
▪ Flip me the ball. = Flip the ball to me.

5) [no obj] informal : to become very excited or angry
▪ You'll flip when you hear this!

6) : to change or move through (channels, stations, etc.) quickly
[+ obj] ▪ He flipped the channel back to the golf tournament. 2.flutter(n.)/ˈflʌtɚ/ 1) of a bird or insect

a : to move or flap the wings quickly without flying
[+ obj] ▪ The bird was fluttering its wings.

[no obj] ▪ The bird's wings were fluttering.
b [no obj] : to fly lightly with quick beats of the wings
▪ We watched the butterflies fluttering in the garden.

2) : to move with quick, light movements
[no obj] ▪ Leaves fluttered to the ground.
[+ obj] ▪ The breeze fluttered the curtains.

3) [no obj] : to move or behave in a nervous and excited way
▪ She nervously fluttered around the office.

3.flicker(v.)[no obj] 1) : to burn or glow in an unsteady way : to produce an unsteady light
▪ A TV was flickering in the background.

2) : to appear or pass briefly or quickly
▪ Thoughts flickered through his mind.
4.falter(v.)[no obj] 1) : to stop being strong or successful : to begin to fail or weaken ▪ The business was faltering due to poor management.2) : to begin to walk or move in an unsteady way
▪ Her steps began to falter.

3) : to feel doubt about doing something ▪ He never faltered [=wavered] in his determination to go to college.

4)

◊If your voice falters, you are unable to speak normally because you are unsure about what to say or because you are feeling strong emotions.

▪ Her voice faltered when she spoke about her parents.
5.extract(v.)/ɪkˈstrækt/ [+ obj] 1) : to remove (something) by pulling it out or cutting it out
▪ He extracted a credit card from his wallet.

2)

a : to get (information, a response, etc.) from someone who does not want to give it
▪ We finally extracted a confession from him. ▪ extract a promise
b : to get (something, such as information) from something ▪ Investigators were able to extract useful information from the company's financial records.3) : to get (a substance) from something by the use of a machine or chemicals ▪ The machines extract the juice from the apples.4) : to choose and take out (parts of a written work) for a separate use ▪ He extracted [=excerpted] a few lines from a favorite poem for use in his speech.

2013.12.12 note: Why Mosquitoes Buzz in people' s Ears (week14)

Note

1.climax: the truth fimally be revealed
 Climax is a literary element.The climax (from the Greek word “κλῖμαξ” (klimax) meaning “staircase” and “ladder”) or turning point of a narrative work is its point of highest tension or drama or when the action starts in which the solution is given.

for example:
*Oedipus The King: The climax is that when Oedipus hears Corinth's king has been dead and feel relieved, however the messenger comes and reveals the true identity of Oedipus.
*Antingone:The climax is when the reader realizes that Antigone has killed herself right before Creon decided to release her

2.

• lengend:A legend is a narrative of human actions that are perceived both by teller and listeners to take place within human history and to possess certain qualities that give the tale verisimilitude.
• myth: something we cannot figure out
• folklore:Folklore (or lore) consists of legends, music, oral history, proverbs, jokes, popular beliefs, fairy tales, stories, tall tales, and customs included in the traditions of a culture, subculture, or group.

3.Why Mosquitoes Buzz in people' s Ears
Exposition:It is the mother owl woke the sun each day so the dawn can come.
Quotation:
*“Try me,”→ 說給我聽一聽

*“I saw a farmer digging yams that were as big as I am.”

*“I would rather be deaf than listen to such nonsense!”

*“Iguana must be angry about something. I’m afraid he is plotting some mischief against me!”

*“So, it was the mosquito who annoyed iguana, who frightened python, who scared rabbit, who startled the crow, who alarmed the monkey, who killed the owlet‐ and now Mother Owl won’t wake the sun so that the day can't come.”

*“It was the mosquito's fault.”

*“Zeee! Is everyone angry at me?”
climax:
The night has lasted long, long, long, and everyone is worried.” Mother Owl said, “Monkey killed one of my owlets. Because of that, I cannot bear to wake the sun.”
genre:
cumulative story
In a cumulative tale, sometimes also called a chain tale, action or dialogue repeats and builds up in some way as the tale progresses. With only the sparest of plots, these tales often depend upon repetition and rhythm for their effect, and can require a skilled storyteller to negotiate their tongue-twisting repetitions in performance. Many cumulative tales feature a series of animals or forces of nature each more powerful than the last.

4.John Denver & The Muppets - 12 Days of Christmas→ cumulative song:progressive addition

John Denver -- "A partridge in a pear tree"

Fozzie Bear -- "Two turtle doves"

Gonzo -- "Three French hens"

Robin the Frog -- "Four calling birds"

Miss Piggy -- "Five gold rings"

Scooter -- "Six geese a-laying"

Lew Zealand -- "Seven swans a-swimming"

Rowlf the Dog -- "Eight maids a-milking"

Dr. Bunsen Honeydew and Beaker - "Nine ladies dancing"

Statler and Waldorf -- "Ten lords a-leaping"

Beauregard -- "Eleven pipers piping"

Kermit -- "Twelve drummers drumming"

5.frame story: story within story, for example:The Decameron, and Canterbury Tales
*The frame story leads readers from a first story into another, smaller one (or several ones) within it.

6.Feast of Epiphany
Epiphany ( epiphaneia, "manifestation", "striking appearance") or Theophany (Τheophaneia meaning "vision of God"), which traditionally falls on January 6, is a Christian feast day that celebrates the revelation of God the Son as a human being in Jesus Christ.

7. What child is this?
"What Child Is This?" is a popular Christmas carol with lyrics written in 1865. At the age of 29, English writer William Chatterton Dix was struck with a sudden near-fatal illness and confined to bedrest for several months, during which he went into a deep depression.Yet out of his near-death experience, Dix wrote many hymns, set to the traditional English tune "Greensleeves," and retitled as "What Child Is This?"

1. What child is this, who, laid to rest,

On Mary’s lap is sleeping,

Whom angels greet with anthems sweet

While shepherds watch are keeping?

This, this is Christ the King,

Whom shepherds guard and angels sing;¹

Haste, haste to bring Him laud,²

The babe, the son of Mary!

2. Why lies He in such mean estate

Where ox and ass are feeding?

Good Christian, fear: for sinners here

The silent Word is pleading.³

Nails, spear shall pierce him through,⁴

The Cross be borne for me, for you;⁵

Hail, hail the Word Made Flesh,⁶

The babe, the son of Mary!

3. So bring Him incense, gold, and myrrh;

Come, peasant, king, to own Him!⁷

The King of Kings salvation brings;

Let loving hearts enthrone Him!⁸

Raise, raise the song on high!⁴

The virgin sings her lullaby.⁹

Joy! joy! for Christ is born,

The babe, the son of Mary!

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

Word

1.

•   I am doing drugs.→吸毒
•   taking pills →吃藥丸
•   under madication → 服藥中

* contraceptive (n.)

[count] : a drug or device (such as birth control pills or a condom) that is used to prevent a woman from becoming pregnant

 — contraceptive ( adjective) always used before a noun

▪ a contraceptive device/method/pill

 

2.credo(n.)

[count] : an idea or set of beliefs that guides the actions of a person or group

e.g, You won't buy that kind credo.

3.I was trilled.
   I was mortified.

4.I felt annoyed...
   I felt him annoying.
 

2013.12.12 word (week14-4)

1.mingle(v.)
1) : to combine or bring together two or more things
 [+ obj] ▪ The story mingles fact and/with fiction.
[no obj] ▪ Several flavors mingle in the stew.

2) [no obj] : to move around during a party, meeting, etc., and talk informally with different people
▪ The host was too busy to mingle during the party.
— often + with ▪ The speaker stayed to mingle with the audience after the lecture.

2.merge(v.)
1)

a [+ obj] : to cause (two or more things, such as two companies) to come together and become one thing
▪ They planned to merge [=combine, unite] the two companies.b [no obj] : to become joined or united
▪ The two banks merged to form one large institution.
— often + with ▪ Many small companies have been forced to merge with other small companies.
— often + into ▪ The two former rivals have merged into one large business.

2) [no obj] : to change into or become part of something else in a very gradual way
▪ Along the coast the mountains gradually merge with the shore.

3.mar(v.)
[+ obj] : to ruin the beauty or perfection of (something) : to hurt or damage the good condition of (something)
▪ A large scar marred his face.
—

often used as (be) marred ▪ The report is marred by numerous errors.

4.magnify(v.)
[+ obj] 1)

a : to make (something) greater
▪ The sound was magnified by the calm air.
b : to make (something) seem greater or more important than it is
▪ His failures have been magnified by the success of his friends.

2) : to make (something) appear larger

▪ The lens magnified the image 100 times.

5.loom(v.)
[no obj]

1) : to appear in a large, strange, or frightening form often in a sudden way
▪ Storm clouds loomed on the horizon. : to appear in an impressively large or great form 

2) : to be close to happening : to be about to happen
— used especially of unpleasant or frightening things
 ▪ A battle is looming in Congress over the proposed budget cuts.