Lesson 9
第9课
collide
vi. 碰撞，互撞；冲突，抵触
The Titanic collided with a floating iceberg.
"泰坦尼克号"撞到了海上漂浮的冰山。
absurd
a. 荒谬的
The idea that the number "13" brings bad luck seems to be quite absurd to most Chinese people.
认为"13"是不吉利的数字这一观念对大多数中国人来说似乎挺荒唐可笑的。
ambitious
a. 有抱负的；有野心的
He was very ambitious to become a famous painter like Da Vinci.
他一心想成为像达·芬奇那样有名的画家。
conceive
vt. （构）想出；怀（胎） vi. （of）构想出；怀孕
Traditionally in China it is a shame for a girl to conceive a baby before she marries.
中国的传统观念是，女孩未婚先孕是可耻的。
avail
n. 效用，利益 v.使…产生效用，使…有价值
It hurt him a great deal that all he had done for her in the past few years was of no avail.
多年来为她奉献的一切都付诸东流，他伤心欲绝。
dedicate
vt. 题献词于…上；（to）把…献给
The writer dedicated his first novel to his wife.
这位作家把自己的第一本小说献给妻子。
extinct
a. 灭绝的；不再活跃的，已废弃的
Dinosaurs have been extinct for millions of years.
恐龙已经灭绝几百万年了。
divert
vt. 使转向；转移；使娱乐
The children are diverted by the clown.
小丑把孩子们逗乐了。
constituent
n. 选民；成分，组成 a. 组成的，构成的
Hydrogen and oxygen are the constituent parts of water.
氢和氧是构成水的元素。
diffuse
v. 扩散，（使）弥漫；传播 a.（文章等）冗长的；弥漫的
The colors of the sunset were diffused across the sky.
夕阳西沉，霞光满天。
heighten
v. （使）提高
We heighten our expectations as time goes by.
随着时间的推移，我们的期望变得更高了。
intelligible
a. 可理解的，清楚的
The manager was so drunk that his speech was barely intelligible.
经理喝得醉醺醺的，连话都说不清楚了。
illusion
n. 幻想；错觉
The girl is always under the illusion that a Prince Charming will sweep her away on a white horse.
这姑娘成天幻想着有朝一日她心目中的白马王子会将她带走。
flush
n. 脸红 v. 冲洗；脸红；赶出 a. （with）齐平的；充裕的，富裕的
The politician didn't flush with shame at all when he swore that he would devote himself to serving the people immediately after receiving bribery payments.
那位政客在刚刚收受贿赂后就信誓旦旦地说他要鞠躬尽瘁地为人民服务，一点都不感到脸红。
induce
vt. 引诱；导致
Adam and Eve were induced to eat the Forbidden Fruit by Satan.
亚当和夏娃受了魔鬼撒旦的引诱偷吃了禁果。
invariably
ad. 不变地，始终如一地，总是
The security guards are invariably ex-servicemen.
这些保安都是清一色的退伍军人。
magnify
vt. 放大；夸大
Cells must be magnified by a microscope several times before they can be seen.
细胞要经过显微镜放大好几倍才看得见。
orient
vt. 使适应；（to, toward）使朝向 n. (the O-)东方
It took quite a long time for a freshman to orient himself.
大学新生要经过好长一段时间才能适应新环境。
pathetic
a. 差劲的；引起怜悯的
It's pathetic to see her best friend sink so low.
看到自己最好的朋友堕落到这种地步，她感到非常悲哀。
porch
n. 门廊
A porch is an entrance covered by a roof outside the front door of a western house or church.
门廊是西式建筑或教堂前门外的入口，通常有顶。
subtle
a. 微妙的；诡秘的；隐约的
The two notes are similar, but subtle differences can still be found.
这两张纸币很相似，但仍然能找出它们之间的细微差别。
quantitative
a. （数）量的，定量的
It's necessary for us to make a quantitative assessment of the effectiveness of the investment.
我们有必要对投资的有效性进行量化评估。
prey
n. 被捕食的动物，捕获物；受害者 v. （on）捕食；折磨
He, with his simplicity and inexperience, was an easy prey for ambitious females.
由于单纯而缺乏经验，他常常轻易成为野心勃勃女子的牺牲品。
regime
n. 政治制度，政权
Things in this war-ridden country will change under the new regime.
在新政权的治理下，这个饱受战乱之苦的国家情况会有所改变。
robust
a. 强壮的，健康的
Jackie Chan's robust constitution and dignified appearance can attract a girl at the very first sight.
成龙强健的体格与不凡的风度能让姑娘一见倾心。
abolish
vt. 彻底废除
Some superstitious practices should be abolished as soon as possible.
有些迷信做法应尽早废除。
spontaneous
a. 自发的，无意识的；天真率直的
When Andy Lau, a superstar, appeared on the stage, the fans gave him a spontaneous cheer.
当天王巨星刘德华登上舞台时，歌迷们发出由衷的喝彩声。
terminate
v. （使）终止
The game terminated in a victory for the home team.
比赛以主队获胜告终。
void
a. 无效的；缺乏的 n. 空虚感；真空，空白 vt. 使无效
Why do many rich people feel a void in their life since they are so well off?
许多富人家财万贯为何还会感觉空虚无聊？
quota
n. 定额
The factory has fulfilled its production quota.
工厂已经完成了生产定额。
betray
vt. 背叛；失信于；泄露；（非故意地）暴露
She betrayed her friends by breaking her promises.
她不遵守自己的诺言，因而失信于她的朋友。
commence
v. 开始
At what time will the opening ceremony commence?
开幕式什么时候开始？
amend
vt. 修订 n. (pl.)赔偿
The UN Charter has been amended since World War II and great improvement has been made.
经过二战以来的修订，联合国宪章已日趋完善。
doubtless
a./ad. 无疑的（地），肯定的（地）
It was almost doubtless that the Chinese Soccer Team would qualify for the final tournament of the World Cup to be held in Japan and Korea.
中国足球队将进军日韩世界杯决赛阶段的比赛，这几乎毋庸置疑。
erase
vt. 擦掉，抹去，清除
"The computer erased all of my work. What should I do?" "You have to start from scratch."
"电脑把我做的所有的东西都删了，我该怎么办？""你只好从头再来了。"
dilemma
n. 困境
She was in a dilemma as to whether to stay at school or go to work.
是继续读书还是去工作，她进退两难。
constrain
vt. 限制；克制
Nowadays many species of wild animals are bound and constrained in the zoo, and ridiculously, only in this way can they survive.
如今，很多野生动物都被关在动物园的兽笼里。荒诞的是，它们只有这样才能生存下去。
conception
n. 思想，观念；构想，设想；怀孕
Does the younger generation have a clear conception of what they want?
年轻一代清楚他们到底想要什么吗？
deduce
vt. 推论，推断，演绎
On the basis of the evidence we deduced that he was guilty, but the judge thought differently.
根据这些证据，我们推断他是有罪的，但是法官却不这么认为。
enthusiastic
a. 满腔热情的，极感兴趣的
We really don't see why the superpower is so enthusiastic over the NMD.
我们真搞不懂为什么这个超级大国那么热衷于搞"国家导弹防御系统"。
extinguish
vt. 熄灭；使消亡
His fire of life was extinguished bit by bit by the onset of the lovesickness.
他的生命之火在相思病的摧残下一点一点地暗淡下去。
hinder
vt. 妨碍
Anger and haste hinder good counsel.
愤怒和急躁妨碍好忠告。
formidable
a. 可怕的；难对付的
He's conscious that he has a formidable rival in this field.
他清醒地意识到，在这个领域他遇到了一个难缠的对手。
imaginative
a. 富有想象力的，爱想象的
The examiner was looking for imaginative answers.
主考人希望找到具有丰富想象力的答卷。
patriotic
a. 爱国的，显示爱国精神的
An impassioned patriotic song reminded the old general of those war-ridden years.
一首激昂的爱国歌曲勾起了老将军对战火纷飞的战争年代的回忆。
intensify
v. （使）增强
To prevent the hooligans from England and Germany making trouble during the World Cup, they have intensified the police patrols along the streets and in the bowls.
在世界杯举办期间，为预防英国和德国的足球流氓闹事，他们调集了大批警力加强对街道及体育场的巡查。
manifest
a. 明显的，明了的 vt. 显示；使显现，使显露
The disease typically manifests itself in a high fever and chest pains.
这种疾病的典型症状是发高烧和胸痛。
irritate
vt. 使恼怒；使不适
His disloyalty irritated his wife, who resolutely left home.
他的不忠激怒了他的妻子，她毅然离开了这个家。
naive
a. 幼稚的，轻信的；天真的
Many naive girls wait for a film director to give them a chance to play a leading role and make a hit overnight.
许多幼稚的女孩等候着电影导演给她们一个出演主角然后一夜成名的机会。
oriental
a. 东方的，东方文化的
The mysterious ancient oriental cultures have been appealing to the Westerners for ages.
长期以来，具有神秘色彩的古老的东方文化对于西方人来说有着巨大的吸引力。
indulge
vt. 使沉溺于；纵容 vi. （in）沉溺
The bitter taste of disappointed love made him indulge in his own daydreams.
苦涩的失恋滋味使他成天沉浸在自己编织的白日梦之中。
precede
vt. 在…之前，先于
Bill Clinton preceded George Bush,Jr., as President of the United States.
克林顿在小布什之前担任过美国总统。
summon
vt. 召唤，传唤；（up）鼓起（勇气）；召开
The man summoned as a witness was required to make an oath that what he would say was absolutely true.
传唤到庭的证人被要求当场发誓他所讲的绝对是真话。
repel
vt. 使厌恶；击退；排斥
Her heavy make-up and cheap scent repelled him.
她的浓妆和廉价香水味使他感到厌恶。
stability
n. 稳定
To make our country strong and prosperous, the most important thing we should do is to maintain political stability.
为使国家繁荣富强，首要的是维护政治稳定。
testify
vi. 作证，证明；（to）表明 vt. 证明
Can you testify that you saw the defendant at the crime scene?
你能证明你亲眼见到被告在犯罪现场吗？
probability
n. 可能性，可能发生的事；概率
War is a serious probability between the two traditional enemy states in the present state of affairs.
从目前的形势来看，两个传统上的敌对国家再起战端的可能性非常大。
quest
n. 寻求，搜索
He went to the library in quest of classical novels before the summer vacation.
放暑假前，他到图书馆去找一些古典小说看。
scorn
n. 轻蔑 vt. 轻蔑，鄙视；拒绝，不屑（做）
The younger generation in the new century scorns the traditional idea of virginity, which has aroused sociologists' concerns.
新世纪里的年轻一代对传统的贞操观念不屑一顾，这已引起社会学家的关注。
stun
vt. 使震惊；把…打昏，使昏迷
Her words stunned me—I had no idea she felt that way.
她的话让我大为诧异——我没想到她有那样的感觉。
bewilder
vt. 使迷惑，使难住
Some unclear and confusing road signs bewildered drivers and they even did not know where to make a U-turn.
含糊不清的路标使司机一头雾水，他们甚至不知道该在什么地方调头。
abnormal
a. 反常的
El Nino has resulted in the abnormal weather in many parts of the world.
厄尔尼诺现象已经导致世界很多地区气候反常。
trivial
a. 琐碎的，不重要的
Never put the trivial above the important in doing anything.
无论做任何事情切不可本末倒置。
texture
n. 质地；（材料等的）结构
A TV commercial described the taste of some chocolate as good as the perfect texture of silk.
有个电视广告把一种巧克力的口感形容成像丝绸一样顺滑。
amplify
vt. 放大；详述
The radio signal can be amplified.
无线电的信号可以放大。
commentary
n. 实况报道，（电影的）解说词；评论，评论文章
Stop shouting! I can't hear Huang Jianxiang's commentary about the football match.
别吵了，我都听不清黄健翔对这场球赛的解说了。
concise
a. 简明的
Your comment is quite concise and to the point.
你的评论简明扼要、一语中的。
contaminate
vt. 污染
The water that we have to drink and the air we have to breathe every day have been badly contaminated.
我们每天必须饮用的水、每天必须呼吸的空气都遭到了严重污染。
entrepreneur
n. 企业家
Born into a poor family, Li Jiacheng had endured many hardships imaginable before he finally became a famous entrepreneur.
李嘉诚生于蓬门荜户，不知吃了多少苦才最终成了着名的企业家。
defy
vt. 违抗；藐视；使成为不可能；挑，激
He defied me to jump down.
他刺激我跳下去。
diminish
vi. 变少，变小，降低 vt. 减少，减小，降低
The heat diminished after the heavy rain.
一场大雨后，温度降了下来。
foster
vt. 收养；促进 a. 收养的
People who cannot have a baby of their own sometimes foster a child.
不能生育的人有时收养别人的孩子。
duplicate
n. 复制品 a. 复制的 vt. 复制；重复
Is this a duplicate or the original?
这是复制件还是原件？
hoist
vt. 举起，吊起 n. 起重器械；举起
The sailors hoist the cargo onto the deck.
水手们把货物吊到甲板上。
infectious
a. 传染的；有感染力的
Her infectious laughter filled the room.
房间里充满了她那有感染力的笑声。
manipulate
vt. 操纵；操作
Qiong Yao made thousands of readers and audience, especially the female, crazy for her plaintive and touching novels and TV plays by manipulating her characters and plots to create interest.
通过巧妙地处理人物和情节来激发兴趣，琼瑶哀婉动人的小说和电视剧迷倒了千千万万的读者和观众（以女性尤甚）。
extravagant
a. 奢侈的；过度的
Most inexperienced young people tend to hold extravagant hopes for the future.
大多数未经世事的年轻人都对未来抱有奢望。
immerse
vt. 使浸没；（in）使沉浸在，使专心于
Nowadays in a world full of material desires very few men can immerse themselves completely in research work in a true sense.
在当今物欲横流的世界里，很少有人能够真正潜心钻研学问。
jeopardize/-ise
vt. 危及，损害
As a businessman, you must do everything to avoid jeopardizing your fortune by making bad investments.
作为商人，你应该千方百计地避免因投资不当而造成财产损失。
nasty
a. 令人讨厌的；难弄的；严重的；下流的
I had intended to take her as my wife, but her nasty habits, her nasty mind, in addition to her nasty temper made me change my mind.
我原想娶她为妻，然而她身上的恶习、卑鄙肮脏的思想、加上她火暴的脾气，这一切都使我改变了主意。