sharpen

vt.削尖

You need to sharpen your eyes in doing experiments.

在做实验时你需要擦亮眼睛。

Stretch

v.伸展，伸长(pull taut, expand)

She stretched herself out on the couch and fell asleep.

她躺在沙发上睡着了。

transform

vt.使变形

A fresh coat of paint can transform a room.

图上一层新油漆，房间焕然一新。

poise

n.平衡(balance) ; 稳定

stable

adj.稳定的

steadily

adv.稳定地；有规则地(consistently)

steady

adj.稳固的vt.使稳定

stability

n.固定；牢固；稳定

Social stability is key to economic growth.

社会稳定是经济增长的关键。

tranquilize

v.使安静，使平静

constrict

v.（使）收紧；压缩 (reduce, compress)

The snake constricted its body around its prey and killed it

那条蛇把猎物紧紧地搂在怀里，把它杀死了。

contract

vi.收缩(shrink, reduce)

Plastic bags contract when being heated.

塑料袋在加热时会收缩。

curtail

vt.缩减 (cut back, reduce)

The discussions were curtailed when the fire alarm went off.

火警警报一响，讨论就中断了。

detract

vi.去掉；减损 (lessen, derogate)

Their argument detracted from the otherwise pleasant conversation.

他们的争论妨碍了原本愉快的谈话。

diminish

vt.减少(decrease)；缩小 (dwindle)

Unexpected expenses diminished the size of my bank account.

意外费用缩小了银行账户的规模。

dwindle

vi.减少(diminish, decrease)

The stream will continue to dwindle if it doesn't rain.

如果不下雨，这条小溪将继续缩小。