外教社综合英语3 Unit 3 Words and Expressions for Text I

How to Write a Rotten Poem with Almost No Effort
Richard Howey
Words and Expressions
1 rotten: adj. 1 (of food, wood, etc. 食物、树木等) 腐烂的；腐败的；腐朽的
that has decayed and cannot be eaten or used
the smell of rotten vegetables 腐烂蔬菜的气味
2 [usually before noun] (informal) 非常糟糕的；恶劣的very bad 同义词： terrible
I've had a rotten day! 我这一天倒霉透了！
She's a rotten singer. 她是个蹩脚的歌手。

Idioms:
a rotten apple
带来恶劣影响的人；害群之马one bad person who has a bad effect on others in a group Derivations:
rot: v. （使）腐烂，腐败变质to decay, or make sth decay, naturally and gradually
同义词： decompose
The window frame had rotted away completely. 窗框已经完全烂掉了。

Synonyms:
decay: v. （使）腐烂，腐朽
decaying leaves/teeth/food 烂叶；蛀齿；腐烂食物
putrefy: v. (formal) 腐烂；腐化
erode: v. 侵蚀；腐蚀；风化；逐渐毁坏；削弱；损害
corrode: v. 腐蚀；侵蚀
2 astounding: adj. 令人震惊的；使大吃一惊的
so surprising that it is difficult to believe
There was an astounding 20% increase in sales. 销售量惊人地增加了20%。

Derivations:
astound: v. 使震惊；使大惊to surprise or shock sb very much
His arrogance astounded her. 他的傲慢使她震惊。

Synonyms:
surprise: v. to give sb the feeling that you get when sth happens that you do not expect or do not understand, or sth that you do expect does not happen; to make sb feel surprised 指使惊奇、使诧异、使感到意外：
The outcome didn't surprise me at all. 这一结果完全在我的意料之中。

startle: v. to surprise sb suddenly in a way that slightly shocks or frightens them 指惊吓、使吓一跳、使大吃一惊：
The explosion startled the horse. 爆炸声使马受了惊。

amaze: v. to surprise sb very much 指使惊奇、使惊愕、使惊诧：
Just the huge size of the place amazed her. 仅仅地方之大就使她十分惊奇。

stun: v. ( rather informal ) (often in newspapers) to surprise or shock sb so much that they cannot think clearly or speak （常用于报章）指使震惊、使惊愕、使目瞪口呆
astonish: v. to surprise sb very much 指使十分惊讶、使大为惊奇：
The news astonished everyone. 这消息使大家十分惊讶。

shock: v. [often passive] to surprise sb, usually in a way that upsets them 指使震惊、使惊愕：We were all shocked at the news of his death. 听到他的死讯，我们都感到震惊。

take sb aback: [usually passive] (especially of sth negative) to surprise or shock sb （尤指不好的事）使大吃一惊、使震惊：
We were rather taken aback by her hostile reaction. 她敌视的反应使我们大吃一惊。

appal: v. to shock and upset sb very much 指使大为震惊、使惊骇：
The brutality of the crime has appalled the public. 罪行之残暴使公众大为震惊
3 squalid: adj. 1 (of places and living conditions 处所及生活环境) 肮脏的；邋遢的
very dirty and unpleasant 同义词： filthy
squalid, overcrowded refugee camps 肮脏而拥挤的难民营
2 (of situations or activities 情况或活动) 道德败坏的；丑恶的；卑鄙的
involving low moral standards or dishonest behaviour
同义词：degraded, filthy, shabby, slummy, sordid, wretched
It was a squalid affair involving prostitutes and drugs.
那是一桩涉及娼妓与毒品的丑事。

4 pound: v. 1 ~ (away) (at/against/on sth)
反复击打；连续砰砰地猛击to hit sth/sb hard many times, especially in a way that makes a lot of noise
Heavy rain pounded on the roof.
暴雨地砸在屋顶上。

Someone was pounding at the door.
有人在砰砰地敲门。

2 [V] （心脏）狂跳，怦怦地跳to beat quickly and loudly
Her heart was pounding with excitement. 她激动得心脏怦怦直跳。

The blood was pounding (= making a beating noise) in his ears.
他听到血液在耳中怦怦搏动的声音。

5 vein: n.[C] 静脉any of the tubes that carry blood from all parts of the body towards the heart the jugular vein 颈静脉
artery: n. 动脉any of the tubes that carry blood from the heart to other parts of the body blocked arteries 被阻滞的动脉
6 bother: v. 1 (often used in negative sentences and questions 常用于否定句和疑问句)
~ (with/about sth) 花费时间精力（做某事）to spend time and/or energy doing sth
[V to inf] He didn't even bother to let me know he was coming.
他甚至连通知都没通知我他要来。

[V -ing] Why bother asking if you're not really interested?
如果你不是真的感兴趣，干吗费口舌打听呢？
2 ~ sb (about/with sth)
使（某人）烦恼（或担忧、不安）；给（某人）造成麻烦（或痛苦）
to annoy, worry or upset sb; to cause sb trouble or pain
The thing tha t bothers me is…
让我感到不安的是…
I don't want to bother her with my problems at the moment.
我此刻不想让她为我的事操心。

[VN that] Does it bother you that she earns more than you?
她比你挣的钱多，你是不是觉得不自在？
[VN to inf] It bothers me to think of her alone in that big house.
想到她孤零零地待在那所大房子里，我便坐立不安。

7 foreign: adj. ~ to sb/sth (formal) 非典型的；陌生的
not typical of sb/sth; not known to sb/sth and therefore seeming strange
Dishonesty is foreign to his nature. 弄虚作假并非他的本性。

8 account executive: n. 客户经理（在广告公司等中负责为指定长期客户提供服务）
a business person, especially one working in advertising, who is responsible for dealing with one of the company's regular customers
9 middle ground: n. 中间立场；中间观点
a set of opinions, decisions, etc. that two or more groups who oppose each other can agree on; a position that is not extreme
Negotiations have failed to establish any middle ground. 谈判未能达成任何妥协。

The ballet company now occupies the middle ground between classical ballet and modern dance. 这个芭蕾舞团采取的是介于古典芭蕾舞和现代舞之间的风格。

10 verse: n. [U] 诗；韵文
writing that is arranged in lines, often with a regular rhythm or pattern of rhyme
Most of the play is written in verse, but some of it is in prose.
这剧本大部分是用韵文写的，不过有一些是用散文。

blank verse: 无韵诗（不押韵的抑扬五音步诗行，常为每行十个音节）
poetry that has a regular rhythm, usually with ten syllables and five stresses in each line, but which does not rhyme
free verse: （无固定格律的）自由诗poetry without a regular rhythm or rhyme
11 bard: n. (literary) 诗人 a person who writes poems
12 imponderable: n. [usually pl.] (formal) 难以衡量（或估量）的事物
something that is difficult to measure or estimate
We can't predict the outcome. There are too many imponderables.
我们无法预测结果。

难以逆料的情况太多了。

adj. 难以衡量（或估量）的
Derivations：
ponder: v. ~ (about/on/over sth) (formal) 沉思；考虑；琢磨
to think about sth carefully for a period of time
They were left to ponder on the implications of the announcement.
他们被留下来琢磨这项宣告的含义。

13 veritable: adj. [only before noun] (formal or humorous) 十足的；名副其实的；不折不扣的
a word used to emphasize that sb/sth can be compared to sb/sth else that is more exciting, more impressive, etc.
The meal that followed was a veritable banquet. 随后摆上的饭菜俨然是一桌宴席。

14 elevate: v. 1 ~ sb/sth (to sth) | ~ sth (into sth) (formal) 提拔，晋升，提升（到不应有的位置）to give sb/sth a higher position or rank, often more important than they deserve
He elevated many of his friends to powerful positions within the government.
他将许多朋友都提拔到政府部门的要职上。

It was an attempt to elevate football to a subject worthy of serious study.
这是试图将足球拔高成一门学科来进行严肃的研究。

2 (technical 术语) 提高；使升高to make the level of sth increase
Smoking often elevates blood pressure. 抽烟常常使血压升高。

15 mediocre: adj. 平庸的；普通的；平常的not very good; of only average standard
a mediocre musician/talent/performance 平庸的音乐家/ 才能/ 表演
16 lyric: n. 1 [C] 抒情诗 a lyric poem
2 lyrics [pl.] 歌词the words of a song
music and lyrics by Rodgers and Hart
由罗杰斯和哈特作词作曲
17 at will: 任意；随意whenever or wherever you like
They were able to come and go at will. 他们能够来去自由。

18 epic: n. [C, U] 叙事诗；史诗 a long poem about the actions of great men and women or about a nation's history; this style of poetry
one of the great Hindu epics 伟大的印度教史诗之一
the creative genius of Greek epic 富有创造力的希腊史诗天才
19 optional: adj. 可选择的；选修的that you can choose to do or have if you want to Certain courses are compulsory, others are optional.
某些课程是必修的，其他是选修的。

Derivations:
opt: v. ~ (for/against sth) 选择；挑选
to choose to take or not to take a particular course of action
After graduating she opted for a career in music. 毕业后她选择了从事音乐工作。

option: n. [C, U] ~ (of doing sth) | ~ (to do sth)
可选择的事物；选择；选择权；选择的自由
something that you can choose to have or do; the freedom to choose what you do
Going to college was not an option for me. 上大学不是我可以选择的道路。

I had no option but to (= I had to) ask him to leave.
我别无选择，只有请他离开。

20 overdo: v. 1 做得过分；做得过火；夸张to do sth too much; to exaggerate sth
She really overdid the sympathy (= and so did not seem sincere) .
她真是同情得过火了。

2 过多使用；滥用to use too much of sth
Don't overdo the salt in the food. 菜里别放太多盐。

Use illustrations where appropriate but don't overdo it .
要适当地使用插图，但不宜过多。

21 a rule of thumb:实用的估算方法，经验工作法（常依据经验而非准确测量）
a practical method of doing or measuring sth, usually based on past experience rather than on exact measurement
22 filing cabinet: n. file cabinet (NAmE) 文件柜；档案柜
a piece of office furniture with deep drawers for storing files
23 radiator: n. 1 散热器；暖气片
a hollow metal device for heating rooms. Radiators are usually connected by pipes through which hot water is sent.
a central heating system with a radiator in each room
每个房间都配有一个散热器的中央供暖系统
2 （车辆或飞机发动机的）冷却器，水箱
a device for cooling the engine of a vehicle or an aircraft
24 profound: adj. 巨大的；深切的；深远的very great; felt or experienced very strongly profound changes in the earth's climate 地球气候的巨大变化
My father's death had a profound effect on us all. 父亲的去世深深地影响了我们全家。

25 conflict: v. （两种思想、信仰、说法等）冲突，抵触
if two ideas, beliefs, stories, etc. conflict , it is not possible for them to exist together or for them both to be true 同义词： clash
conflicting emotions/interests/loyalties 相互矛盾的感情/ 利益/ 忠诚
Derivations:
flict=to strike 打击
afflict: v. 折磨；使痛苦to affect sb/sth in an unpleasant or harmful way (af-=ad-=to) About 40% of the country's population is afflicted with the disease.
全国40%左右的人口患有这种疾病。

inflict: v. ~ sth (on/upon sb/sth) 使遭受打击；使吃苦头(in-=upon)
to make sb/sth suffer sth unpleasant
They inflicted a humiliating defeat on the home team.
他们使主队吃了一场很没面子的败仗。

26 as per sth:按照；依据following sth that has been decided
The work was carried out as per instructions. 工作是按指示进行的。

as per normal/usual: (informal) 照常；按惯例；一如既往
in the way that is normal or usual; as often happens
Everyone blamed me as per usual. 大家照例是责怪我。

27 conjure: v. 变魔术；变戏法；使…变戏法般地出现（或消失）
to do clever tricks such as making things seem to appear or disappear as if by magic
Her grandfather taught her to conjure. 她的祖父教她变魔术。

conjure sth↔up1 使…呈现于脑际；使想起
to make sth appear as a picture in your mind 同义词： evoke
That smell always conjures up memories of holidays in France.
那种气味总是令人勾起在法国度假那段日子的回忆。

2 用咒语使…出现to make sb/sth appear by using special magic words
28 complexity: n. 复杂性；难懂
the state of being formed of many parts; the state of being difficult to understand
I was astonished by the size and complexity of the problem.
这个问题的复杂性和涉及面之广使我感到惊讶。

Derivations:
complex: adj. 复杂的；难懂的；费解的
made of many different things or parts that are connected; difficult to understand 同义词： complicated
a complex argument/problem/subject 复杂难懂的论证/ 问题/ 科目Compare:
complexion: n. 1 面色；肤色；气色
the natural colour and condition of the skin on a person's face
a pale/bad complexion 苍白的/ 病态的脸色
2 [usually sing.] （事物的）性质，特性the general character of sth
a move which changed the political complexion of the country
改变国家政局的举措
29 cuddle: v. 拥抱；搂抱
to hold sb/sth close in your arms to show love or affection 同义词： hug
A couple of teenagers were kissing and cuddling on the doorstep.
一对年轻人在门阶上亲吻拥抱。

30 aroma: n. 芳香；香味 a pleasant, noticeable smell
the aroma of fresh coffee 新鲜咖啡的香味
31 insightful: adj. 有深刻了解的；富有洞察力的
showing a clear understanding of a person or situation 同义词： perceptive Derivations:
insight: n. 1 [U] (approving) 洞察力；领悟
the ability to see and understand the truth about people or situations
a writer of great insight 有深刻洞察力的作家
With a flash of insight I realized what the dream meant.
我突然明白了这个梦意味着什么。

2 [C, U] ~ (into sth)
洞悉；了解an understanding of what sth is like
The book gives us fascinating insights into life in Mexico.
这本书生动地表现了墨西哥的生活。

32 prosaic: adj. 平庸的；没有诗意（或美感）的
ordinary and not showing any imagination 同义词： unimaginative
a prosaic style 平淡的风格
33 down-to-earth: adj. 务实的；切合实际的
sensible and practical, in a way that is helpful and friendly
34 thrust: n. 1 the thrust [sing.] （论据、政策等的）要点，要旨，重点
the main point of an argument, a policy, etc.
The thrust of his argument was that change was needed.
他的论据要点是改革是必要的。

2 [C] 猛推；刺；戳；插
a sudden strong movement that pushes sth/s
b forward
He killed her with a thrust of the knife. 他把她一刀刺死了。

35 aura: n. ~ (of sth) 气氛；氛围；气质
a feeling or particular quality that is very noticeable and seems to surround a person or place
She always has an aura of confidence. 她总是满有信心的样子。

36 grossly: adv. (used to describe unpleasant qualities 形容令人不快的事物) 极度地；极其；非常extremely
grossly overweight/unfair/inadequate 极胖/ 不公平/ 不充分
Press reports have been grossly exaggerated. 新闻报道过于夸张。

37 accomplishment: n. 1 [C] 成就；成绩
an impressive thing that is done or achieved after a lot of work 同义词： achievement
It was one of the President's greatest accomplishments. 那是总统最伟大的成就之一。

2 [C, U] 才艺；技艺；专长 a skill or special ability
Drawing and singing were among her many accomplishments.
她多才多艺，能歌善画。

a poet of rare accomplishment 出类拔萃的诗人
3 [U] (formal) 完成；成就the successful completing of sth
Money will be crucial to the accomplishment of our objectives.
要实现我们的目标，钱是至关重要的。

Derivations:
accomplish: v. 完成to succeed in doing or completing sth
The first part of the plan has been safely accomplished. 计划的第一部分已顺利完成。

accomplished: adj. 才华高的；技艺高超的；熟练的
very good at a particular thing; having a lot of skills
an accomplished artist/actor/chef 技艺高超的艺术家/ 演员/ 厨师
38 offering: n. 用品；剧作；作品；供消遣的产品
something that is produced for other people to use, watch, enjoy etc.
the latest offering from the Canadian-born writer 在加拿大出生的那位作家的最新作品
39break the ice （尤指聚会等开始时，用言语或行动）打破隔阂；打头说话
to say or do sth that makes people feel more relaxed, especially at the beginning of a meeting, party, etc.; to make a start, get sth started.
40 incidentally: adv. 1 （引出新话题、附加信息、或临时想到的问题）顺便提一句
used to introduce a new topic, or some extra information, or a question that you have just thought of 同义词： by the way
Incidentally, have you heard the news about Sue? 顺便问一句，你听说过休的事了吗？
2 偶然；附带地
in a way that was not planned but that is connected with sth else
The information was only discovered incidentally. 这个信息只是偶然得到的。

Derivations:
incidental: adj. ~ (to sth) 附带发生的；次要的；非有意的
happening in connection with sth else, but not as important as it, or not intended
The discovery was incidental to their main research.
这一发现是他们主要研究中的附带收获。

incident: n. 发生的事情（尤指不寻常的或讨厌的）
something that happens, especially sth unusual or unpleasant
His bad behaviour was just an isolated incident. 他的不良行为只是个别事件。

41 anthology: n. （不同作家作品的）选集
a collection of poems, stories, etc. that have been written by different people and published together in a book。