Category Archives: 英语词汇

Unit 9
access v.
to find or see information, especially using a computer
e.g.: In modern times it is easy and convenient to access various kinds of information
from a computer’s memory.
access u/n.
(1) (OPPORTUNITY) when you have the right or opportunity to use or see something
e.g.: The policeman gained access to the club by disguising himself as a gambler.
(2) (ENTRANCE) the way in which you can enter a place or get to a place
e.g.: The only access to the village is by boat.
pile v.
make a pile of; load, fill or cover plentifully
e.g.: He piled the boxes one on top of another.
Idioms:
pile in/out – to enter/leave a place quickly and not in an organized way一窝蜂地进入/离开
e.g.: She opened the door and we all piled in.
pile it on – (idm.) (infml.) exaggerate
e.g.: It’s probably not as bas as she says – she does tend to pile it on.
pile sth. up
(1) to make a lot of things into a pile by putting them on top of each other
e.g.: Just pile those books up over there.
(2) increase in quantity; accumulate
e.g.: Her debts are piling up and she has no money to pay them.
paste v.
to stick something to something, especially with paste
e.g.: She pasted the poster onto the wall.
paste n.
(1) a soft sticky mixture of powder and liquid that is easily shaped or spread, or a thin mixture of flour and water used for sticking paper together or onto other surfaces
e.g.: Posters about the jazz concert were stuck up on walls with paste all over the
university.
(2) mixture of ground meat or fish for spreading on bread
e.g.: liver paste
figure v.
(1) appear
e.g.: His name did not figure in the list of those who had received awards.
(2) consider or believe; calculate; come to understand
e.g.: I still cannot figure it – it’s a mystery.
I figured that you would want to see me about it.
challenging adj.
needing the full use of one’s ability and efforts; difficult and interesting
e.g.: We must be ready to cope with challenging problems.
She finds her new job very challenging.
challenge v.
(1) invite sb. to do sth. esp. to take part in a contest or to prove or justify sth.
e.g.: challenge sb. to a duel 要求某人参加决斗
(2) question the truth, rightness or validity of sth.; dispute
e.g.: challenge one’s authority / right to do sth. 怀疑某人是否有权力/权利做某事
(3) test the ability of sth.; stimulate
e.g.: The job doesn’t really challenge him. 这项工作不能真正考验他
challenge n.
(1)invitation or call to sb. to take part in a game, contest, fight etc. to prove who is
better, stronger, more able, etc.
e.g.: issue / accept a challenge
(2) statement or action which questions or disputes sth.
e.g.: a serious challenge to the Prime Minister’s authority 对首相的权威郑重提出疑义
(3) difficult, demanding or stimulating task
e.g.: Reducing the gap between rich and poor is one of the main challenges facing the
government.
marvel v.
(fml.) be very surprise and often admiring
e.g.: I marveled at the maturity of such a young child. 小小年纪如此成熟，使我赞叹不
已。
I marvel that she agreed to do something so dangerous. 我大为惊异的是， 她竟
然同意做如此危险的事。
marvel n.
(1) (C/N) wonderful / miraculous thing
e.g.: the marvels of modern science 现代科学的奇迹
It’s a marvel that he escaped unhurt. 他竟然能安然逃脱，真不可思议。
(2) (C/N) (esp. sing.) person or thing that is surprisingly good, pleasing, etc.
e.g.: She works so hard in spite of her illness: she’s a marvel. 她带病努力工作，真是
难能可贵。
marvellous adj.
locate v.
(1) find the position of
e.g.: Can you locate your hometown on this world map?
(2) situate; fix or set in a certain place
e.g.: The village is located in the valley.
unfold v.
(1) open from a folded position
e.g.: She unfolded the map and spread it on the table.
(2) (cause to) become clear, better known, etc.
e.g.: The story unfolds as the film goes on.
It was a strange tale that he unfolded.
potential n.
(1) possibility of being developed or used 潜在性，可能性
e.g.: He studied the German market to find the potential there for profitable investment. 他对德国的市场进行了研究以寻求投资获利的可能性。
(2) qualities that exist and can be developed 潜力，潜能
e.g.: She has artistic potential as an artist.
potential adj.
(1) that can or may come into existence; possible 可能的
e.g.: a potential leader
(2) in existence and capable of being developed or used 潜在的，有潜力的
e.g.: a machine with several potential uses 具有多种潜在功能的机器
proceed v.
(1) begin or continue in a course of action or set of actions
e.g.: The project is proceeding according to the plan.
The director said he like my scheme very much, and then proceeded to tear it to
bits.
(2) advance; move in a particular direction
e.g.: According to the policeman’s report, the stolen car was proceeding in the southern direction.
Passengers for the New York flight should now proceed to Gate 25.
course n.
(1) the path along which sth. happens; direction of movement taken by sb. or sth.
e.g.: The plane changed its course to avoid the storm.
(2) continuous movement from one point to another in space or time
e.g.: During the course of the next few minutes we will be serving tea and biscuits.
(3) the usual, natural, or established pattern or process by which sth. happens or is done
e.g.: He has committed a crime, and now the law must take its course.
evolve v.
(1) (fml.) (vt.) (cause to) develop naturally and usually gradually
e.g.: He has evolved a new theory after many years of research.
(2) (biology) (of plants, animals, etc.) gradually develop from a simple form to a more
complex one
e.g.: Many Victorians were shocked by the notion that Man had evolved from lower
forms of life.
evolution n.
(1)process of gradually developing
e.g.: In politics Britain has preferred evolution to revolution 在政治上，英国喜欢渐进而
不喜欢革命。
(2) (theory of the) gradual development of the characteristics of plants and animals
over many generations, esp. the development of more complicated forms from earlier, simpler forms
e.g.: Darwin’s theory of evolution 达尔文进化论
associate v.
(1) join in a relationship based on friendship, business, or a shared purpose; combine
as friends or partners 与某人交往或常打交道
e.g.: I don’t like you associating with such people.
(2) connect in thought, memory or imagination
e.g.: Whiskey is usually associated with Scotland.
association n
(1) (U/N) action of associating or being associated 联合；联系；联盟；合伙
e.g.: His English improved enormously because of his association with British people. (2) (U/N) being in one’s company; friendship
e.g.: She became famous through her association with several poets.
她通过与几位诗人的交往而出名了。
(3) (C/N) mental connection between ideas
e.g.: What associations does the sea have for you? 你从大海能联想到什么？
(4) group of people joined together for a common purpose; organization
e.g.: NBA – national basketball association

Unit 13

image n.

(1)  the impression that a person, an organization or a product, etc. gives to the public:

e.g. His public image is very different from the real person.

(2)  a mental picture that you have of what sb/sth is like or looks like:

e.g. I always had an image of her standing by that particular window.

(3)  (formal) a copy of sb/sth in the form of a picture or statue:

e.g. In the Bible it states that humans were created in the image of God.

(4)  a picture of sb/sth seen in a mirror, through a camera, or on a television or computer:

e.g. He stared at his own image reflected in the water.

Idioms:

be the very / living / spitting image of sb: to be very similar to, or almost exactly like sb/sth else

e.g. He’s the spitting image of his father.

narcissistic adj.

of or pertaining to narcissism; marked by excessive love of self

e.g. a narcissistic personality

narcissism n.

(psychology) abnormal and excessive love or admiration for oneself

narcissist n.

someone who has too much admiration for themselves

Narcissus  n. Greek Mythology

a beautiful youth who pined away in love for his own reflection in a fountain and was transformed into the flower that bears his name (Ovid Metamorphoses).

converse v.

~ (with sb): (formal) to have a conversation with sb

e.g. The two men were conversing on music and opera.

converse n.

(the converse): (formal) the opposite or REVERSE of a fact or statement:

e.g. Building new roads increases traffic and the converse is equally true.

converse adj.

opposite to sth

e.g. They hold converse opinions.

conversely adv.

Comparison:

opposite, contrary, adverse, reverse, converse  

这些形容词均含“相反的，对立的”之意。

opposite：指位置、方向、行动或想法等完全相反。

contrary：一般指与某种主张、看法或行为等正好相反，隐含否定一方并不意味着肯定另一方的意味。

adverse：通常指违害利益的、无生命的势力或条件等，侧重分歧。

reverse：指朝相反方向的或反面（背面）的。

converse：指在方向、行动或意见上相反的。

enunciate v.

(1)  to say or pronounce words clearly:

e.g. She enunciated each word slowly and carefully.

(2) (formal) to express an idea clearly and exactly:

e.g. He enunciated his vision of the future.
enunciation n.

enunciable adj.

that admits of being enunciated

enunciative adj.

predicative; declaratory

eunciatively adv.

in an enunciative manner; declaratively

enunciator n.

one who or that which enunciates

agent n.

(1)  a person whose job is to act for, or manage the affairs of, other people in business, politics, etc

e.g. advertising/ election/ estate/ insurance/ land/ press/ publicity/ travel agent

(2)  spy

e.g. intelligence/ foreign/ federal/ government/ secret/ undercover/ double agent

agency  n.

(1)  a business or an organization that provides a particular service especially on behalf of other businesses or organizations:

e.g. an advertising / employment/ a travel /dating /news agency.

(2)  (esp. AmE) a government department that provides a particular service:

e.g. the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA)

Idiom:

through the agency of: (formal) as a result of the action of sb/sth

e.g. He obtained his position through the agency of an old friend.

Comparison:

delegate, deputy, representative, agent, substitute  

这些名词有“代表、代理人”之意。

delegate：指一般被派参加某一会议的代表。

deputy：指上级授权代理行事的代表，特指被选择为执行全部或部分公务的人。representative：一般指被选举或委派代表某人或一些人或某个较大团体的人，其职务有时是较长期的。

agent：普通用词，通常指经授权代理另一个人或团体，或指在双方之间代表一方起中间作用的人。

substitute：主要强调某人或某物可以用来代替别的人或物的作用。

invariably adv.

in an invariable manner; without variation, unchangingly, constantly; without exception

invariable adj.

always the same; never changing

invariability or invariableness n.

the quality of being invariable; unchangeableness, constancy

Antonym:

variably

Derivation:

vary v.      variable adj.       various adj.     variation n.

dread adj.

(formal) causing terror or fear, inspiring awe:

e.g. The dread spectre of civil war looms over the country.

dread v.

to feel extremely anxious or frightened about something that is going to happen or that might happen:

e.g. He’s dreading his driving test – he’s sure he’s going to fail.

I’m dreading having to meet his parents.

I dread to think what would happen if there really was a fire here.

dread n.

a strong feeling of fear or worry:

e.g. The prospect of working full-time fills me with dread.

I live in dread of bumping into her in the street.

Comparison:

alarm, fear, fright, horror, panic, terror, dread  

这些名词均含“恐惧、惧怕、惊恐”之意。

alarm：强调突然意识到有危险而产生的恐惧心理。

fear：普通用词，侧重指面临危险或灾祸时内心所引起的恐惧心情。

fright：通常指一阵突然的、令人震惊的短暂恐惧，有时含夸张意味。

horror：侧重指因看到令人讨厌或危险的东西或情景而引起的厌恶情绪、极度恐惧心情或战栗的动作。

panic：常指因突如其来的外界威胁使人群出现惊慌、恐惧或混乱。

terror：指极大的恐惧和惊骇，语气最强。

dread：可与fear换用，着重害怕的心理，但dread常指胆怯和丧失勇气。

detach v.

(1)  to separate or unfasten; disconnect:

e.g. detach a check from the checkbook

(2)  to send (troops or ships, for example) on a special mission

detached adj.

(1)  separated:

e.g. The label became detached from your parcel.

(2)  describes a house that is not connected to any other building:

e.g. a house with a detached garage

(3)  describes someone who does not show any emotional involvement or interest in a situation:

e.g. She seemed a bit detached, as if her mind were on other things.

detachable adj.

that can be detached

detachment n.

Comparison:

separate, detach

separate suggests either a sorting out of items from a mixture or the taking apart of things intimately joined or fused, but detach specifically suggests the removing of a part from a larger whole, esp. when the two are designed to come apart as an added convenience in their functioning.

respond v.

(1)  to make a reply; answer.

e.g. She never responded to my letter.

(2)  to do sth as a reaction to sth that sb has said or done

e.g. How did they respond to the news?

(3)  to react positively or favorably:

e.g. The patient has responded rapidly to the treatment.

respondent n.

(1)  a person who answers questions, especially in a SURVEY:

e.g. 60% of the respondents agreed with the suggestion

(2)  (law) a person who is accused of sth; defendant, esp. in a divorce case

response n.

an answer or reaction

Comparison:

answer, reply, respond, retort, return  

这些动词均有“回答”之意。

answer：常用词，指用书面、口头或行动对他人的请求、询问、质问等作出回答或反应。

reply：正式用词，较少用于口语。侧重经过考虑的较正式答复。

respond：正式用词，指即刻的，以口头或行动对外来的号召、请求或刺激等作出回答或响应。

retort：指对不同意见、批评或控诉作出迅速、有力的回答，即“反驳”。

return：正式用词，从本义“归来，回去”引申作“回答、答辨”讲时，含反驳或反唇相讥之意。

graphically adv.

vividly; by writing or diagrams

graphic adj.

(1)  connected with drawings and design, especially in the production of books, magazines, etc:

e.g. graphic design

(2)  (of descriptions, etc.) very clear and full of details, especially about sth unpleasant:

e.g. a graphic account/ description of a battle

drive home to sb

make sb realize sth, esp by saying it often, loudly, angrily, etc

e.g. drive one’s point home

I drove home to him that he must be here by ten.

drive away

drive sb/sth away: to leave in a vehicle; to take sb away in a vehicle

e.g. Someone drove the car away in the night.
drive sb away: to make sb not want to stay or not want to go somewhere

e.g. Her constant nagging drove him away.
drive off

(of a driver, car, etc.) to leave:

e.g. The robbers drove off in a stolen vehicle.
drive on

to continue driving:

e.g. Don’t stop-drive on!
drive sb/sth out (of sth)

to make sb/sth disappear or stop doing sth:

e.g. The supermarkets are driving small shopkeepers out of business.
drive sth up/ down

to make sth such as prices rise or fall quickly

firm n.

a business or company, esp. a small one

e.g. an engineering firm

a firm of accountants

Comparison:

corporation; company; plant; workshop

corporation: a big company, or a group of companies acting together as a single organization

company: a business organization that makes or sells goods or services

plant: a factory or building where an industrial process happens

workshop: a room or building where tools and machines are used for making or repairing things

hospitalize v.

to send sb to a hospital for treatment:

e.g. Eight people were hospitalized after receiving bullet wounds.
hospitalization, hospitalisation n. [U]:

e.g. a long period of hospitalization

wheel v.

(1)  to push an object that has wheels so that it moves in a particular direction:

e.g. She wheeled her bicycle across the road.

(2)  to move sb/sth that is in or on sth that has wheels:

e.g. The nurse wheeled him along the corridor.

(3)  to move or fly in a circle:

e.g. Birds wheeled above us in the sky.

orderly n.

(1)  (also medical orderly) attendant in a hospital, usu without special training, who does unskilled jobs （医院的）勤杂工

(2)  army officer’s attendant 勤务兵

orderly adj.

       well arranged or organized:

       e.g. an orderly room, desk, mind

intone v.

(formal) to say something slowly and seriously in a voice which does not rise or fall much:

e.g. “Let us pray,” the priest intoned to his congregation.

intoner n.

approximately adv.

close to a particular number or time although not exactly that number or time:

e.g. The job will take approximately three weeks, and cost approximately 1000 dollars.

approximate adj.

not completely accurate but close:

e.g. Can you give me an approximate idea of the numbers involved?

Comparison:

almost, nearly, about, approximately, around, roughly  

这些副词均有“大约，差不多”之意。

almost：指在程度上相差很小，差不多。
nearly与almost含义基本相同，侧重指数量、时间或空间上的接近。

about：常可分almost和nearly换用，但about用于表示时间、数量的“大约”时，实际数量可能多也可能少。

approximately：多用于书面语，指精确度接近某个标准以致误差可忽略不计。

around：多用于非正式场合，常见于美国英语。

roughly：指按精略估计，常代替about。

saint-like adj.

like a saint in some way:

       -like suffix [in adjectives]: in the manner of; similar to 类似; 像

e.g. godlike, childlike, ladylike, snake-like

disposition n.

the natural qualities of a person’s character:

e.g. a calm, irritable, cheerful, boastful, etc disposition

Comparison:

temper, character, nature, personality, disposition

这些名词均有“性格、气质、性情、习性”之意。

temper：指从感情方面体现出来，决定处理问题或应付形势的方式的性格或性情，这种性情可以是暂时的也可以长久的。

character：指对个性或人格所作出的客观评价，常常与道德有关。

nature：指天生的、不可改变性格。
personality：主要指一个人稳定的心理特征。
disposition：书面用词，指人的主要爱好或思想、精神方面的重要习性、气质。也可指短暂的情绪。

desert v.

(1)  to leave sb without help or support

e.g. She was deserted by her husband.

(2)  [often passive] to go away from a place and leave it empty

e.g. The villages had been deserted.

       deserted adj

(1)  with no one present:

e.g. a deserted street, area, etc

(2)  abandoned:

e.g. a deserted hut, house, wife

Comparison:

abandon, desert, forsake, leave, give up 

这些动词或词组均含“抛弃、放弃”之意

abandon：强调永远或完全放弃或抛弃人或事物等，这可能是被迫的，也可能是自愿的。

desert：着重指违背法律责任和义务，或自己的信仰与誓言的行为，多含非难的意味。

forsake：侧重断绝感情上的依恋，自愿抛弃所喜欢的人或物。也指抛弃信仰或改掉恶习。

leave：普通用词，指舍弃某事或某一职业，或终止同一某人的关系，但不涉及动机与果。

give up：普通用语，侧重指没有希望或因外界压力而放弃。

blurt out

to say sth suddenly and without thinking carefully enough:

e.g. She blurted it out before I could stop her.

comparison:

burst out

to suddenly start to laugh, cry, etc.

ridiculous adj.

stupid or unreasonable and deserving to be laughed at; absurd

e.g. Do I look ridiculous in this hat?
e.g. Don’t be so ridiculous! I can’t possibly afford to go on holiday.

ridiculously adv.

ridiculousness n. [U]

       ridicule n. [U]

unkind words or actions that make someone or something look stupid or worthless:

e.g. He’s become an object of ridicule (= a person that everyone thinks is stupid and criticizes or laughs at).

ridicule v.

to laugh at someone in an unkind way:

e.g. She rarely spoke her mind out of fear of being ridiculed.

misconception n.

a mistaken thought, idea, or notion; a misunderstanding:

e.g. have many misconceptions about the new tax program

Derivation:

conceive v.                 misconceive v.            misconceived adj.

turn down

(1)  to diminish the speed, volume, intensity, or flow of:

e.g. Turn down the radio, please.

(2)  to reject or refuse, as a person, advice, or a suggestion:

e.g. turned down the invitation.

(3)  to fold or be capable of folding down:

e.g. turn a collar down

turn (sb) against sb

(cause sb to) become unfriendly or hostile towards sb

e.g. She turned against her old friend.

turn in

(1)  to hand in; give over:

e.g. turned in the final exam

(2)  hand sb over to the police to be arrested:

e.g. The criminal turned herself in.

(3)  (informal) to go to bed:

e.g. I turned in early last night.

turn off

(1)  to stop the operation, activity, or flow of; shut off:

e.g. turned off the television.

(2)  (slang) to affect with dislike, displeasure, boredom or revulsion; to lose or cause to lose interest:

e.g. That song really turns me off.

The play turned the audience off.

turn on

(1)  to cause to begin the operation, activity, or flow of:

e.g. Turn on the light bulb.

(2)  to begin to display, employ, or exude:

e.g. turn on the charm

(3)  (slang) to be or cause to become interested, pleasurably excited, or stimulated.

e.g. My aunt turned me on to jazz.

She turned on to surfing this summer.

turn out

(1)  to shut off:

e.g. turned out the lights.

(2)  to arrive or assemble, as for a public event or entertainment:

e.g. Many protesters have turned out.

(3)  to produce, as by a manufacturing process; make:

e.g. The factory turns out 900 cars a week.

(4)  to be found to be, as after experience or trial:

e.g. She turned out to be a friend of my sister/It turned out that she was a friend of my sister.

(5)  to end up; result:

e.g. The cake turned out beautifully.

(6)  (informal) to get out of bed.

(7)  to evict; expel:

e.g. The tenants were turned out.

turn over

(1)   (cause sb/sth to) face in another direction by rolling

e.g. She turned over and went to sleep.

(2)  do business worth (the specified amount) 做值（某数额）的生意； 营业额达……

e.g. The company turns over 150 million a year.

(3)  deliver sb to (the authorities, the police, etc) 把某人交给（负责人﹑ 警方等）: e.g. Customs officials turned the man over to the police. 海关人员把那男子送交警方处理。

(4)  give the control or management of sth to sb

e.g. He turned the business over to his daughter.

turn up

(1)  to increase the speed, volume, intensity, or flow of:

e.g. Turn up the radio.

(2)  to find:

e.g. She turned up the missing keys under her briefcase.

(3)  to make an appearance; arrive:

e.g. Many old friends turned up at the reunion.

(4)  to fold or be capable of folding up:

e.g. turning up his cuffs

(5)  to happen unexpectedly:

e.g. Something turned up, so I couldn’t go.

qualification n.

(usu. pl. ) an examination that you have passed, esp. at school or university

       e.g. What sort of qualifications do you need for the job?

Derivation:

qualify v.      qualifier n.       qualified adj.

continuous adj.

going on without stopping or being interrupted:

e.g. A continuous belt feeds components into the machine.

Comparison:

continual, continuous, successive, constant, persistent 

这些形容词均有“连续的”、“不断的”之意。

continual：强调重复或持续发生，但连续之间允许有间断。

continuous：意最强，强调在时间和空间上没有间断。

successive：强调事物一个接一个地发生，无间断。

constant：多指习惯性的重复和不变的持续。

persistent：普通用词，可指不懈的努力，也可指任何连续不断或重复出现的事物。

frustration n.

(1)  [U] the feeling of being frustrated; the feeling of being annoyed, upset, or impatient, because you cannot control or change a situation, or achieve something

e.g. She couldn’t stand the frustration of not being able to help.

(2)  [C, usually pl.] something that causes you to feel frustrated:

e.g. Inevitably she took out her frustrations on the children.

Derivation:

frustrate v.       frustrated adj.           frustrating adj.

practice v.

       to work at, especially as a profession:

e.g. practice law.

Comparison:

drill, exercise, practice, training, discipline 

这些名词都有“练习、训练、锻炼”之意。

drill：侧重进行有系统的，严格和重复的练习。

exercise：主要指为强壮体魄而进行的锻炼，也可指进行练习以保持已经获得的技巧。

practice：指把所学的理论或知识用于实践以获得技艺与技巧。

training：普通用词，泛指为从事某种职业而进行的身体或智力方面的训练。

discipline： 既可指训练又可指为达到某种熟练程度而进行的约束。

lack n.

[U, sing] absence or shortage (of sth that is needed):

e.g. a lack of care, money, water

lack v.

to not have or not have enough of something that is needed or wanted:

e.g. He just lacks a little confidence.

       lacking adj.

be lacking in sth: not have enough of sth

e.g. be lacking in warmth, courage, strength

The film was lacking in pace. 这部影片不紧凑。

disillusion v.

destroy the pleasant but mistaken beliefs or ideals of (sb):

e.g. I hate to disillusion you, but his real reason for helping you was that he was after your money.

disillusioning adj.

disillusioned adj.

~ (with sb/sth): disappointed in sb/sth that one had admired or believed in:

e.g. She’s disillusioned with life in general.

disillusionment (also disillusion) n.

[U] state of being disillusioned 幻灭；醒悟：

e.g. the growing disillusionment with the Government’s policies 对政府政策产生越来越强烈的失望。

exclusion n.

a situation in which somebody or something is not allowed to take part in an activity

       e.g. the exclusion of women from the temple

idiom:

       to the exclusion of sb/sth: to exclude (all other members of a group) 排除（其他一切）

e.g. He spent his spare time gardening, to the exclusion of all other interests.

exclude v.

to keep out or omit something or someone:

e.g. Women are still excluded from the club.

exclusive adj.

exclusive of sth: not including something:

e.g. Is the total exclusive of service charges?

exclusively adv.

issue v.

       to produce or provide something official:

e.g. The office will be issuing permits on Tuesday and Thursday mornings.

The school issued a statement about its plans to the press.

Comparison:

issue, distribute, publish 

这些动词均有“发行，发出，发给”之意。

issue：多指通过官方或正式渠道正式发行。

distribute： 指把东西分发给所属者或应得者。

publish： 普通用词，多指出版发行文字作品，也指发布新闻或发表见解等。

issue n.

a subject or problem which people are thinking and talking about:

e.g. environmental/ethical/personal issues

Comparison:

issue, subject, theme, topic 

这些名词均有“主题、话题”之意。

issue： 指有争论、议论，急需讨论研究的热点话题。

subject ：一般用词，使用广泛。指书籍、文章、演讲、讨论等中所隐含的、暗示的，需要由读者或听众推断的主题或中心话题。

theme：系正式用词，多指文学、艺术作品的主题，或论文、演说的主题。

topic：普通用词，含义广泛，但其范畴小于subject。既可指文章、讲话的题目，谈话的内容，又可指提纲中的标题甚至段落的主题或中心思想。

mandate v.

to give official permission for something to happen:

e.g. The UN rush to mandate war totally ruled out any alternatives.

mandate n.

[C usually singular] the authority given to an elected group of people, such as a government, to perform an action or govern a country 授权：

e.g. At the forthcoming elections, the government will be seeking a fresh mandate from the people.

handicapped adj.

suffering from a mental or physical handicap, having serious difficulty using part of your body or mind fully because of injury or damage:

e.g. The accident left him physically handicapped.

Comparison:

disabled, handicapped

Disabled is the most generally accepted term to refer to people with a permanent illness or injury that makes it difficult for them to use part of their body completely or easily. Handicapped is slightly old-fashioned and many people now think it is offensive. People also now prefer to use the word disability rather than handicap. The expression disabled people is often preferred to the disabled because it sounds more personal.

by and large

for the most part; generally:

e.g. By and large, the play was a success.

distinctly adj.

       clearly

       e.g. I distinctly remember asking him not to tell her about the new sales figures.

       distinct adj.

Comparison:

apparent, obvious, evident, clear, plain, distinct, definite, manifest  

这些形容词均含“清楚的，明白的，明显的”之意。
apparent：强调显而易见或一想便知。这个词从动词appear派生而来，故有时含有表面如此而事实上未必的意味。
obvious： 语气较强，指极为明显，有目共睹，无需说明和论证。
evident：指根据事实成为显然的。
clear：普通用词，侧重清楚明白。
plain：普通用词，含义与clear很接近，可通用，但plain着重简单明了，不复杂。
distinct： 较正式用词，指轮廓的清楚或定义、含义的明确，不会弄错。
definite：语气肯定，着重明白无误，无可怀疑。
manifest：语义较强，书面用词，强调一目了然，暗示不要任何推论就一清二楚。

rim n.

edge or border of sth that is (approximately) circular

e.g. the rim of a cup, bowl, etc

a pair of spectacles with gold rims 一副金框眼镜

rim v.

to provide (sth) with a rim; be a rim for (sth) 给（某物）镶边; 形成（某物）的边缘：

e.g. Mountains rimmed the valley. 群山环绕着这个山谷。

rimless adj

 (of spectacles) having lenses which have no frames round them

-rimmed (forming compound adjs): having a rim or rims of the type specified

e.g. steel-rimmed glasses

red-rimmed eyes from weeping 因哭泣眼眶发红

foreman n.

a worker who is in charge of a group of other factory or building workers

come upon

to find or discover something or somebody by chance

e.g. We came upon a little cottage just on the edge of the wood.

come about

to happen, especially in a way that is not planned

e.g. How did the problem come about in the first place?

come across

(1)  to meet, find, or discover someone or something by chance

(2)  if an idea comes across well, it is easy for people to understand

come after somebody

to look for someone in order to hurt them, punish them, or get something from them

e.g. The farmer came after the intruders with a big stick.

come round

(British English) to come to someone’s home or the place where they work in order to visit them

e.g. Why don’t you come round (to my flat) this evening?

come by

to manage to get something that is rare or difficult to get

e.g. Jobs are hard to come by these days.