neck

the part of your body that joins your head to your shoulders, or the same part of an animal or bird

Jean wore a string of pearls around her neck.

You have a lot of tension in your neck muscles.

She had a mass of golden hair, which she wore in a coil at the [nape](bold)(=back)[of](bold) her [neck](bold).

她有一头金发，盘在脖子后面。

The dog picked up the puppy and carried it by [the scruff](bold)(=back)[of](bold) the [neck](bold) into the house.

那条狗叼住小狗的后颈，把它叼进了屋子。

the part of a piece of clothing that goes around your neck

The sweater has a round neck and long sleeves.

→ [crew neck](->crew neck) → [polo neck](->polo neck) → [scoop neck](->scoop neck) → [turtleneck](->turtleneck) → [V-neck](->V-neck)

the narrow part of something, usually at the top

Lara put the cork back in the neck of the bottle.

拉勒把软木塞塞回了瓶颈。

to be in a difficult situation that is hard to escape from

if two competitors or groups are neck and neck in a competition or race, they are level with each other

〔比赛中〕（与某人）势均力敌，不分上下

Opinion polls show the two main parties are running neck and neck.

民意调查显示两大主要党派势均力敌。

in a particular area or part of the country

I haven’t been in this neck of the woods for years.

我已经好多年没有到这里来了。

If we don’t make some changes we’ll all get it in the neck.

如果不作些改变，我们都会挨批评的。

if a race, especially a horse race, is won by a neck, the winner is only a very short distance in front

〔比赛，尤指赛马中〕以微弱优势〔获胜〕

我们的马以微弱优势获胜。

a confident attitude that makes you able to do unreasonable or shocking things without feeling embarrassed

I don't know how they have the neck to charge that much!

我弄不明白他们怎么好意思收这么多钱！

a narrow piece of land that comes out of a wider part

a neck of land between a lake and the sea

if something hangs around your neck, it keeps causing you problems

[be breathing down sb’s neck](bold) at → [breathe](->breathe) sense 5 [I’ll wring sb’s neck](bold) at → [wring](->wring) sense 6 [pain in the neck](bold) at → [pain](->pain) 1 sense 3 [risk your neck](bold) at → [risk](->risk) 2 sense 1 [save sb’s neck](bold) at → [save](->save) 1 sense 11 [stick your neck out](bold) at → [stick out](->stick out)


neck

[v](bold) <[I usually in progressive](bold)> [informal](special)

if two people are necking, they kiss for a long time in a sexual way


necklace

a string of jewels,beads etc or a thin gold or silver chain to wear around the neck


necktie

[n](bold) <[C](bold)> ([AmE](special)) [formal](special)


need

You say that you [need](bold)  something: You’ll need some warm clothes.

You say that you [need to do ](bold)  something: I need to clean the house.

You say that something [needs cutting/cleaning etc](bold)  (= it needs to be cut, cleaned etc) : My hair needs cutting.

You say that you [need ](bold)  something [ done](bold)  (= you want someone to do it for you) : I need my car fixed urgently.

You say that you [do not need ](bold) something: You don’t need a jacket.

You say that you [don’t need to do ](bold) something or you [need not/needn’t do ](bold)  something (= it is not necessary) : I don’t need to leave until 10. You needn’t apologize.
Don’t say: [I don’t need leave.](strike)  [You needn’t to apologize.](strike)

You say that someone [didn’t need to do](bold)  something (= it was not necessary) : I didn’t need to tell him who I was – he already knew.

You say that someone [needn’t have done ](bold)  something (= although they have done it, it was not necessary) : We needn’t have ordered so much food.

[Need](bold)  is not used in the progressive. You say: I need a break.
Don’t say: [I’m needing a break](strike) .

if you need something, you must have it, because you cannot do something without it

The people desperately need food and clean water.

to be unable to do something without something

A lot of people can’t do without their mobile phones.

to be unable to live or continue normally without something or someone

The refugees are dependent on outside food supplies.

if one thing demands another, it needs that thing in order to happen or be done successfully

The situation is urgent and demands immediate action.

to have to have something or someone, because you cannot do something without them, or because you cannot continue or cannot exist without them

这台摄像机需要换新电池。

Are you sure that you have [everything you need](bold)?

a much needed boost to the local economy

to feel that you want something very much

你需要什么，说一声就可以。

used when saying that someone should do something or has to do something

他有必要马上去找医生看看。

You need to let me know by Monday if you want to take part.

你得在星期一之前告诉我你想不想参加。

used in negative sentences when saying that something is not necessary or not always true

需要〔在否定句中表示“不必，未必”〕

Going to the dentist need not necessarily be a painful experience.

看牙未必就是件痛苦的事。

你本可以不花那么多钱的。

need I/we etc do sth? [BrE](bold) [old-fashioned](bold)

我们一定要这么快就走吗？

吉姆永远不需要知道我说了些什么。

used when saying that something should have something done to it, or has to have something done to it

sth needs to be checked/cleaned/done etc

The engine will need to be completely checked.

这台发动机需要彻底检查一下。

The pie doesn’t need to be refrigerated.

[need a (good) wash/clean/cut etc](bold)(=ought to be washed, cleaned etc)

if a job needs a quality or skill, you must have that quality or skill in order to do it well

〔某个职位〕要求，需要〔某种素质或技能〕

做这份工作需要很有耐心。

Being a teacher needs a high level of motivation.

当老师需要很高的积极性。

used when you think people should already know what you are going to say

I need hardly remind you that this information is confidential.

这些信息是保密的，这就不用我提醒了。

you need only do sth/all you need do is ...

used when saying that you only have to do something in order to do something else

你只需要做某事/你所要做的只是 …

We need only look at the building to see how much money it will take to repair.

我们只要看一下那栋楼，就知道要花多少钱维修。

我们只需要威胁他们一下。

need I ask/need I say more/need I go on etc?

used to say that it is not necessary to ask or say more about something, because the rest is clear

这还用问？我还有必要说下去吗？

She’s lazy, slow, and stubborn. Need I say more?

她懒惰、迟钝、顽固。还要我说下去吗？

that’s all I need/that’s just what I didn’t need

used when saying that you did not want something to happen, especially when it seems annoying

真是时候〔尤用于不喜欢的事偏偏发生之时〕

‘There’s a customer for you on the phone.’ ‘That’s all I need!’

“有个顾客打电话找你。”“真是时候！”

used when saying that you definitely do not need something

used to say you are not interested in something

谁需要它/它们啊？〔用于表示对某事物不感兴趣〕

used to say that someone or something is actually very important to you

谁需要它/它们[他们]？〔用于表示某人或某事物非常重要〕


need

There is a real need for after-school care in our area.

The most urgent need was for more teachers.

There’s a crying need for more doctors and nurses.

There is a desperate need to build more housing.

She emphasized the growing need to deal with environmental problems.

stress/emphasize/underline the need for sth

He stressed the need for better training courses.

The new drug treatment eliminates the need for surgery.

New teaching materials must be created if a need exists for them.

Clearly there is a need for more research.

They felt that there was no need for a formal contract.

(=if or when something becomes necessary)

Team members move from job to job as the need arises.

I can work during my lunch break if need be.

a situation in which something is necessary, especially something that is not happening yet or is not yet available

There’s a growing need for new housing in many rural areas.

许多农村地区对新住房的需求不断增长。

We fully recognize the need to improve communications.

我们充分意识到需要改善沟通交流。

a strong feeling that you want something, want to do something, or that you must have something

Jack did not feel the need to boast about his success.

杰克觉得没必要吹嘘自己的成功。

You’re welcome to come back and talk any time, if ever you feel the need.

只要你觉得有必要，欢迎你随时回来谈谈。

what someone needs to have in order to live a normal healthy comfortable life

She works to provide for her family’s [basic needs](bold).

她工作是为了维持家里的基本生计。

Environmentalists argue that the organization fails to address the needs of third world farmers.

环境保护主义者认为该组织未能解决第三世界国家农民的需求问题。

[meet/satisfy a need](bold)(=provide something that people want or need)

The charity exists to meet the needs of elderly people.

该慈善机构的存在是为了满足老年人的需求。

Schools must satisfy the needs of their pupils.

学校必须满足学生的需求。

We have loans to meet your [every need](bold).

我们有不同贷款方式可以满足您的各种需要。

used to say that someone does not have to do something

There’s no need for you to come if you don’t want to.

如果你不想来，就不必来了。

used to tell someone to stop doing something

to need help, advice, money etc, because you are in a difficult situation

需要〔帮助、建议、金钱等〕

This project is [in urgent need of](bold) funding.

He is homeless and [in desperate need of](bold) help.

他无家可归，迫切需要帮助。

to need to be cleaned, repaired, or given attention in some way

需要〔清洗、修理、留心等〕

The church was [in dire](bold)(=very great)[need of](bold) repair.

She believes him and has no need of further proof.

她相信他，不需要他进一步证明什么。

when you do not have enough food or money

〔食物或金钱的〕短缺；困窘

cases of severe need in the inner cities

我们必须关心那些生活困难的人。

when you are in trouble and need someone to help you

How could she abandon her father now, in his hour of need?

她怎能在父亲困难的时候对其弃之不顾呢？

used to say that you must sometimes do things that you do not like doing

It's not the most comfortable way to travel, but needs must.

这不是最舒适的出行方式，但是也只能如此了。


needle

→ [pins and needles](->pins and needles)

I don't think he even knows how to use a needle!

I got a needle and thread and sewed the button back on.

(=the hole at the top of the needle that the thread goes through)

This gadget helps you put the thread through the eye of the needle.

a small thin piece of steel, with a point at one end and a hole in the other, used for sewing

a very thin, pointed steel tube at the end of a syringe, which is pushed into your skin to put a drug or medicine into your body or to take out blood

She carried hypodermic needles and syringes in her bag.

她包里带着皮下注射针和针筒。

Drug users are at risk when they share needles.

吸毒者共用注射针很危险。

a long thin piece of metal on a scientific instrument that moves backwards and forwards and points to numbers or directions

a long, very thin piece of metal used in acupuncturea kind of medical treatment originally used in China

a small needle-shaped leaf, especially from a pine tree

the very small, pointed part in a record player that touches the record in order to play it

used to say that something is almost impossible to find

如同草垛里寻针〔指某物几乎是无法找到的〕

Finding out which file you want can be like looking for a needle in a haystack.

要确定你要的是哪份文件，犹如大海捞针。


needle

to deliberately annoy someone by making unkind remarks or jokes about them

I just said that to Charlie to needle him.

我对查理说那些话就是为了刺激他。


needless

[needlessly](bold) adv. eg: People are dying needlessly every year of heart attacks.

used when you are telling someone something that they probably know or expect

Needless to say, any contributions of money will be gratefully received.

不用说，收到任何一笔捐款我们都将很感激。

needless troubles, suffering, loss etc are unnecessary because they could easily have been avoided

The report caused needless anxiety to women who have attended the clinic.

那份报告让去那家诊所就诊过的妇女产生了不必要的忧虑。

We need to bring to an end these needless deaths.

我们必须终止这些无谓的死亡。

查尔斯痛恨不必要的浪费。


needy

needing and wanting a lot of love and attention


negative

→see THESAURUS at [bad](->bad) 1   →see THESAURUS at [harmful](->harmful)

My drinking was starting to have a negative effect on my work.

喝酒开始对我的工作产生不良影响。

[On the negative side](bold), it will cost a lot.

从坏的方面讲，它要花很多钱。

considering only the bad qualities of a situation, person etc and not the good ones

students with a negative attitude to school

They have a uniformly negative image of the police.

Jean rarely sounded so negative about her mother.

琼很少这么说她母亲不好。

He gave a negative answer without any explanation.

他给了一个否定的回答，没有作任何解释。

containing one of the words ‘no’, ‘not’, ‘nothing’, ‘never’ etc

not showing any sign of the chemical or medical condition that was being looked for

A person can be recently infected by HIV and have a negative result.

刚感染艾滋病病毒的人化验结果可能是阴性的。

a negative charge is carried by electrons

a negative return on our investment (=a loss)

used in the names of blood types, meaning not having the Rhesus factor

〔血液中〕不含猕因子的，Rh阴性的


negative

an image on a photographic film that shows dark areas as light and light areas as dark, from which the final picture is printed

a statement or expression that means ‘no’

answer/reply in the negative [formal](bold) (=say 'no')

The majority of people, when asked whether or not they are creative, will [reply in the negative](bold).

大多数人被问及是否有创意时，都会给出否定的回答。

The negatives outweigh the positives on this issue.

a negative result from a chemical or scientific test

〔化验或科学试验中的〕阴性结果

The test will give a proportion of false negatives.

这种化验会出现一定比例的假阴性结果。


negative

to refuse to accept a proposal or request

否定；否认；证明 …错误


neglect

to fail to look after someone or something properly

She smoked and drank, neglected the children, and left the clothes unmended.

她抽烟喝酒，既不照顾孩子，也不缝补衣服。

to pay too little attention to something

Many of these ideas have been neglected by modern historians.

这些观点有许多都被现代的历史学家忽略了。

The police officer was accused of neglecting his duty (=not doing everything he should).

You neglected to mention that they had a second album released during 1991.

你没有提及他们在1991年发行了第二张专辑。


neglect

failure to look after something or someone, or the condition of not being looked after

Tenants are complaining about the landlord’s neglect of the property.

住户在抱怨房东疏忽了房屋的维修。

[years/decades/centuries etc of neglect](bold)

After years of neglect, the roads were full of potholes.

道路因为多年失修，路面上到处都坑坑洼洼的。

The whole district had an air of abandonment and neglect.

整个地区有一种萧条落寞的感觉。

failure to pay proper attention to something

Five officers were court-martialled for cowardice or neglect of duty.

五名军官因怯懦或渎职受到军事法庭审判。


negotiate

to discuss something in order to reach an agreement, especially in business or politics

〔尤指在商业或政治方面〕谈判，协商

The government refuses to negotiate with terrorists.

政府拒绝和恐怖分子谈判。

[negotiate an agreement/contract etc](bold)

Union leaders have negotiated an agreement for a shorter working week.

工会领袖已经商定了一份缩短每周工作时间的协议。

His first aim is to get the warring parties back to [the negotiating table](bold)(=discussing something).

他的首要目标就是把交战各方拉回到谈判桌上。

[Negotiate](bold)  is a reciprocal verb. This type of verb is used when saying that two or more people or things do something that involves both or all of them: The two sides have to negotiate.  You can also say: The two sides have to negotiate with each other. One side has to negotiate with the other.

to succeed in getting past or over a difficult place on a path, road etc

Guido swung the steering-wheel round to negotiate a corner.

吉多转动方向盘，顺利地通过了拐角。


negotiation

nɪˌɡəʊʃiˈeɪʃən

After lengthy negotiations, a compromise was finally reached.

Despite protracted negotiations, the two sides have failed to reach agreement.

The agreement is the result of two years of long and difficult negotiations.

(=in which it would be very easy to upset people and cause the negotiations to fail)

The company is about to start delicate negotiations with the union about next year's pay agreement.

The agreement came after months of intense negotiations.

A new round of global trade negotiations is due to start next week.

They have entered into negotiations to acquire another company.

The country should conduct direct negotiations with its neighbours.

The two companies have broken off negotiations on the deal.

The pressure is on Israel and the Palestinians to resume peace negotiations.

The negotiations stalled over the question of arms reductions.

The negotiations broke down over a dispute about working conditions.

The contract is currently under negotiation.

The price is usually open to negotiation.

The president signalled that he is open to negotiation on the budget.

(=one part  of a series of negotiations)

the next round of negotiations on trade barriers

the initial/early/final stages of negotiation

The offer was in the final stages of negotiation.

(=an occasion when negotiations cannot continue because of a disagreement)

There has been a breakdown in negotiations with the union.

official discussions between the representatives of opposing groups who are trying to reach an agreement, especially in business or politics

〔尤指在商业或政治方面正式的〕谈判，协商

The negotiations with the company had reached a crucial stage.

和那家公司的谈判到了关键阶段。

This follows private negotiations between the landowner and the leisure centre.

这依照的是土地拥有人和休闲中心私下达成的协议。

He is trying to involve community leaders in negotiations on reform.

他试图让社区领导一起参与协商改革事宜。


negotiator

nɪˈɡəʊʃieɪtə

-ˈɡoʊʃieɪtər

someone who takes part in official discussions, especially in business or politics, in order to try and reach an agreement

〔尤指商业或政治方面的〕谈判代表，协商者


neighbour

([BrE](special)) AmE neighbor  [n](bold) <[C](bold)>

someone who lives next to you or near you

One of the neighbors complained about the noise from the party.

FBI agents were interviewing all their friends and neighbors.

联邦调查局人员正在向他们所有的朋友和邻居问话。

Our [next-door neighbours](bold)(=the people who live in the house next to us) say they’ll look after our cat for us while we’re away.

我们隔壁的邻居说，我们不在时他们会照顾我们的猫。

someone or something that is next to another person or thing of the same type

The teacher saw Phil passing a note to his neighbour.

老师看见菲尔给坐在他旁边的人递了一张纸条。

The garden was divided from its neighbour by a high wall.

这座花园和相邻的花园被一堵高墙隔开了。


neighbourhood

([BrE](special)) AmE neighborhood  [n](bold) <[C](bold)>

社区，住宅小区；四邻，街坊

She grew up in a quiet neighborhood of Boston.

她是在波士顿一个清静的街区里长大的。

The hotel is situated in a peaceful residential neighbourhood (=area where there are houses rather than factories or shops).

这家宾馆坐落在一个宁静的住宅区里。

In everyday British English, instead of saying [in my neighbourhood](bold) , people often say [where I live](bold) :

There aren’t many bookshops [where I live](bold).

the area around you or around a particular place, or the people who live there

Be quiet! You’ll wake up [the whole neighbourhood](bold)!

安静点！你会把邻居全都吵醒的！

Is there a good Chinese restaurant in the neighbourhood?

这附近有没有好的中餐馆？

(something) in the neighbourhood of £500/30% etc

a little more or a little less than a particular number or amount

The painting is worth something in the neighborhood of $3,000.

这幅画大约值3,000美元。


neighbouring

([BrE](special)) AmE neighboring  [adj](bold) <[only before noun](bold)>

near the place where you are or the place you are talking about

The fair attracted hundreds of people from the neighbouring towns and villages.

集市吸引了邻近城镇及村庄的好几百人前来。


neither

You use [neither ](bold) before a singular noun, with a singular verb: Neither answer [is](bold) right.

You use [neither of ](bold) before a plural noun or pronoun. In formal speech and in writing, you use a singular verb: Neither of the answers [is](bold) right.

In speech and informal writing, people sometimes use a plural verb: Neither of the answers [are](bold) right.

not one or the other of two people or things

两者都不（的），两者中无一（的）

‘Would you like tea or coffee?’ ‘Neither, thanks.’

“你要喝茶还是喝咖啡？”“都不要，谢谢。”

It was a game in which neither team deserved to win.

那场比赛两个队都不该赢。

Thompson had two strategies, [neither of which](bold) seems to have worked very well.

汤普森有两套行动计划，效果似乎都不太好。

We asked both John and Jerry, but [neither one](bold) could offer a satisfactory explanation.

我们询问了约翰和杰里，可他俩都没能给出令人满意的解释。


neither

used to show that a negative statement is also true about another person or thing

‘I don’t have any money.’ ‘Neither do I.’

“我没带钱。”“我也没带。”

Tom didn’t believe a word she said, and neither did the police.

汤姆根本不相信她说的话，警方也不相信。

‘I don’t like horror movies.’ ‘[Me neither](bold).’

“我不喜欢恐怖电影。”“我也不喜欢。”


neither

used when mentioning two things that are not true or possible

既不 …也不 …，不 …也不 …， …和 …都不

Neither Oleg’s mother nor his father spoke English.

奥列格的父母都不会说英语。

The equipment is neither accurate nor safe.

这台设备既不精确，也不安全。

After [neither](bold) , use [nor](bold) : [Neither ](bold)he [nor ](bold)his wife enjoyed the vacation. Most of them [neither](bold) know [nor](bold) care how it works.
Don’t say: [Neither he or his wife ...](strike)  [Most of them neither know or care ...](strike)

used to say that something is not important because it does not affect a fact or situation

The fact that she needed the money for her children is neither here nor there – it’s still stealing.

她需要钱是为了孩子也不行，这还是偷。

used to say that something or someone cannot be described as either one of two types of thing or person, but is somewhere in the middle of the two

The New York Times is neither one thing nor the other. It’s not really a city newspaper and it’s not really a national newspaper either.

《纽约时报》介乎两者之间，既不是城市报纸，也不是全国性报纸。

used to add another negative statement about someone or something

The authorities were not sympathetic to the students’ demands, neither would they tolerate any disruption.

当局既不支持学生们的要求，也不会容忍任何混乱发生。


nephew

the son of your brother or sister, or the son of your husband’s or wife’s brother or sister


nerve

[strain every nerve](bold) at → [strain](->strain) 2 sense 6

(=make someone feel less worried or nervous)

She took a few deep breaths, trying to calm her nerves.

She hoped that a cup of tea would soothe her nerves.

He suffered from nerves and could no longer perform on stage.

(=you feel extremely nervous or worried)

Suddenly she was wide awake, her nerves jangling.

Quite a few of the students suffered from exam nerves.

(=before the first night of a performance)

She always suffered from first-night nerves.

(=they feel nervous or worried about what might happen)

His nerves were on edge as he entered the dark room.

sb's nerves are tattered/frayed/shattered

Everyone's nerves were frayed by the end of the week.

sb's nerves are stretched (to breaking point)

Her nerves were stretched almost to breaking point as she waited.

I was a bag of nerves during the interview.

Just before the audition he was shaking with nerves.

She was in such a state of nerves that she jumped at every noise.

Harrison had an attack of nerves before the match.

I just didn't have the nerve to tell them the truth.

He couldn't find the nerve to ask her out.

(=remain calm and confident in a difficult situation)

The team held their nerve and went on to win.

(=suddenly lose the courage or confidence to do something)

I wanted to ask him the question, but I lost my nerve.

(=test whether someone will have the courage to do something difficult)

The next few days would test their nerve to the limit.

(=someone suddenly loses the courage or confidence to do something)

At the last moment, her nerve failed her.

(=someone loses the courage to do something or continue something)

The police hoped his nerve would break and he'd give himself away.

(=something requires a lot of courage or confidence)

It takes nerve to stand up for what you believe.

(=a situation in which someone lacks the courage to do something)

They accused the government of a loss of nerve.

used to talk about someone being worried or frightened

[sb’s nerves are on edge/in tatters/frayed](bold)(=someone feels very worried or frightened)

[calm/steady your nerves](bold)(=stop yourself feeling worried or frightened)

Sean drank a large glass of brandy to calm his nerves.

肖恩喝了一大杯白兰地，好让自己定定神。

[be a bundle/bag of nerves](bold)(=be extremely worried or frightened)

I remember you were a bundle of nerves on your wedding day.

我记得你在婚礼那天紧张极了。

the feeling of being worried or a little frightened

A lot of people [suffer from nerves](bold) before they go on stage.

很多人登台之前都觉得紧张。

‘What’s wrong with Rachel?’ ‘It’s just nerves. She’s got her driving test tomorrow.’

“蕾切尔怎么啦？”“只是紧张，她明天要参加驾驶考试。”

nerves are parts inside your body which look like threads and carry messages between the brain and other parts of the body

a condition which affects the nerves in the back

[trapped nerve](bold) BrE, [pinched nerve](bold) AmE(=a nerve that has been crushed between two muscles etc, causing pain)

courage and confidence in a dangerous, difficult, or frightening situation

Not many people [have the nerve](bold) to stand up and speak in front of a large audience.

不是很多人都有勇气站在一大群人面前讲话。

She finally [found the nerve](bold) to tell him she wanted a divorce.

她终于鼓起勇气告诉他自己想离婚。

[It takes a lot of nerve](bold) to report a colleague for sexual harassment.

[lose your nerve](bold)(=suddenly become very nervous so that you cannot do what you intended to do)

Jensen would’ve won if he hadn’t lost his nerve.

詹森要不是气馁，就能赢了。

[hold/keep your nerve](bold)(=remain calm in a difficult situation)

It’s hard to keep your nerve when people keep interrupting you.

不断被人干扰时你很难保持镇静。

if someone gets on your nerves, they annoy you, especially by doing something all the time

烦扰某人；使某人心神不定

She’s always moaning. It really gets on my nerves.

她老是哼哼唧唧的，真令我心烦。

if you say someone has a nerve, you mean that they have done something unsuitable or impolite, without seeming to be embarrassed about behaving in this way

He’s [got a nerve](bold) asking for more money.

‘She didn’t say sorry or anything.’ ‘[What a nerve](bold)!’

“她没有说任何道歉的话。”“真不要脸！”

She lets me do all the work, and then she has the nerve to criticize my cooking.

所有的活儿她都让我来干，然后竟还有脸挑剔我的厨艺。

to mention something that makes someone upset, angry, or embarrassed, especially accidentally

〔尤指无心地〕触到敏感话题；触到痛处

Without realizing, he had touched a raw nerve.

无意间他触到了别人的痛处。

the ability to be brave and calm in a dangerous or difficult situation

做这份工作需要有坚强的意志。


nerve

to force yourself to be brave enough to do something

The parachutist nerved himself for the jump.

跳伞者鼓足勇气准备往下跳。


nervous

[nervously](bold) adv. eg: She smiled nervously.

[nervousness](bold) n. <U> eg: Mike’s nervousness showed in his voice.

worried or a little frightened about something and unable to relax

Kelly was so nervous about her exam that she couldn’t sleep.

It makes me nervous when you drive that fast.

worried and unable to relax in a way that makes you get angry or upset easily

Mary’s problems at work were making her tense and irritable.

nervous because you feel that something bad might happen, so that you are unable to relax until the danger has passed

I began to feel uneasy when he still hadn’t phoned by 11 o'clock.

if you are on edge or your nerves are on edge, you feel nervous because you are worried about what might happen

My nerves were on edge, waiting for the results of the test.

Redundancies and other work upheavals have put employees on edge.

nervous and anxious in a way that is not normal or reasonable

She’s completely neurotic about food hygiene.

Investors are a little edgy about the financial markets these days.

There was a lot of pressure on the team tonight and that’s why they were a little jumpy.

becoming nervous or upset easily because that is your character

Like many musicians, he’s very sensitive and highly-strung.

to feel extremely nervous and unable to relax

After 10 months of teaching, I was a total nervous wreck.

to feel nervous about something that you are going to do very soon because it is important and you want to do it well

Actors often have butterflies before going on stage.

He looked at her for so long that she began to feel nervous.

Everyone gets nervous before a big game.

She seemed nervous at first, but her presentation was good.

Being alone in the house made her nervous.

Looking slightly nervous, Paul began to speak.

I was a little nervous before the interview.

The policeman noticed that the driver seemed extremely nervous.

‘It doesn’t matter,’ she said, with a nervous smile.

His comment was met with nervous laughter.

Lucy swallowed as she sent him a nervous glance.

(=a feeling of being very tense and nervous)

It was the play’s opening night, and Gloria was in a state of nervous tension.

(=be so nervous or worried that you cannot deal with a situation)

By the end of the rehearsal I was a nervous wreck.

worried or frightened about something, and unable to relax

神经紧张的；焦虑不安的；害怕的，胆怯的

She was so nervous about her exams that she couldn’t sleep.

考试让她紧张得睡不着觉。

I wish you’d stop looking at me like that. You’re [making](bold) me [nervous](bold).

我希望你不要再那样看着我了，你让我紧张。

Paul always gets nervous whenever he has to give a presentation.

每次要进行陈述的时候，保罗总是很紧张。

‘Don’t be silly,’ she said with a nervous laugh. ‘There’s no such thing as ghosts.’

“别傻了，”她紧张地笑了笑，“世上没有鬼这种东西。”

By the time I got into the interview I [was a nervous wreck](bold)(=was extremely nervous).

到了面试的时候，我紧张得要命。

We were all a bit nervous of him at first (=frightened of him).

often becoming worried or frightened, and easily upset

她是一个胆怯而敏感的孩子。

The film is unsuitable for people [of a nervous disposition](bold)(=who are easily frightened).

这部影片不适合容易紧张的人观看。

She was suffering from a nervous condition.

她患上了一种神经系统疾病。

He had a [nervous twitch](bold)(=his body made small uncontrolled movements).

a mental condition in which you feel very tired, usually caused by working too hard or by a difficult emotional problem


nest

[feather your nest](bold) at → [feather](->feather) 2 sense 1 [mare’s nest](bold) at → [mare](->mare) sense 2 → [love nest](->love nest)

Barn owls leave the nest at two to three months.

a place made or chosen by a bird to lay its eggs in and to live in

In May the females [build](bold) a [nest](bold) and lay their eggs.

Young eagles leave the nest after only two months.

雏雕仅仅两个月以后就会离巢。

a place where insects or small animals live

to leave your parents’ home and start living somewhere else when you are an adult

Both daughters were ready to fly the nest.

两个女儿都准备好离家独立生活。

a place where people are secretly doing a lot of illegal or dishonest things

间谍的巢穴/贼窝/阴谋诡计的策源地等

a set of tables etc that fit inside each other

〔可依大小套放的〕一套桌子/盒子等


nest

They say eagles used to nest in those rocks.

他们说以前常有雕在那些岩石中筑巢。

to organize information, especially in a computer program, so that some of the information is recognized as separate but is included or contained in a larger part of the information

〔尤在计算机程序中〕嵌入〔信息〕

Phrases are nested in the dictionary entry for the first major word.

短语按第一主词排入词典相应词条中。


net

→ [fishnet stockings](->fishnet stockings) → [hairnet](->hairnet) → [safety net](->safety net) → [netting](->netting)

the system that allows millions of computer users around the world to exchange information

Bruce spends most evenings [surfing the Net](bold)(=looking at information in different places on the Internet).

布鲁斯晚上大多在网上浏览信息。

你也许能从网上找到些什么。

something used for catching fish, insects, or animals which is made of threads or wires woven across each other with regular spaces between them

the thing that players must hit the ball over in games such as tennis

the thing behind the posts that players try to kick or hit the ball into in games such as football or hockey

〔足球、曲棍球等的〕球门网

Henry kicked the ball into [the back of the net](bold).

something used for keeping things out, for example insects or birds, which is made of threads woven across each other with regular spaces between them

网罩〔用于阻挡昆虫、鸟类等〕

very thin material made from fine threads woven together, with small spaces between

if criminals slip through the net, they avoid attempts by the police etc to catch them

if someone or something falls or slips through the net, a system which was designed to help or check them has not succeeded in doing this

In a class of 30 children it is easy for some to slip through the net and learn nothing.

在有30个孩子的班级里，有些孩子很容易被忽视，什么也学不到。

to consider or try as many things as possible in order to find what you want

Record companies are casting their nets wide in search of new talent.

唱片公司为了发掘新人正在撒开大网。


net

[net](bold) adv. eg: He earns $40,000 net. eg: jars of coffee weighing 450 grams net

BrE also: nett  [adj](bold) <[only before noun](bold)>

the net amount is the final amount that remains after all the other amounts have been taken away

The [net profit](bold)(=after taxes, costs etc) was up 16.3% last month.

上个月净利润增长了16.3%。

The company reported a [net loss](bold) of $56 million last year.

公司报告去年净亏损5,600万美元。

Vernon estimates the company’s [net worth](bold) at over $8 billion.

弗农估算公司的资产净值超过80亿美元。

The United States is a net importer of beef (=it imports more than it exports).

The net result will be higher costs to the consumer.

最后的结果是消费者将支付更高的费用。

the weight of something without its container


net

[past tense and past participle](italic) [netted](bold) [present participle](italic) [netting](bold)

to earn a particular amount of money as a profit after tax has been paid

我一年净赚约6.4万美元。

to succeed in getting something, especially by using your skill

The company has recently netted several large contracts.

该公司最近获得了几个大合同。

An undercover sweep netted 22 suspects in one evening.

一次秘密搜查行动一晚就抓获了22名嫌疑人。

to hit or kick the ball into the net in sport

击〔球〕入网；踢〔球〕入网

Rooney has netted nine goals for United so far this season.

本赛季到目前为止鲁尼已经为曼联队攻入九个球。

不到一小时我们就网住了三条鱼。


network

a system of lines, tubes, wires, roads etc that cross each other and are connected to each other

a high-speed European [rail network](bold)

the network of blood vessels in the body

a group of radio or television stations, which broadcast many of the same programmes, but in different parts of the same country

You’re listening to the American Armed Forces Network.

您正在收听的是美军广播电台。

a set of computers that are connected to each other so that they can share information

a group of people, organizations etc that are connected or that work together

It’s important to build up a network of professional contacts.

建立职业人脉网是很重要的。

[the old-boy network](bold) at → [old boy](->old boy) sense 2


network

to connect several computers together so that they can share information

to meet and talk with people who have similar jobs to yours, especially because they may be useful for your work

to broadcast a radio or television programme on several different channels at the same time

通过电台[电视]联网播出


neutral

not supporting any of the people or groups involved in an argument or disagreement

I always tried to remain neutral when they started arguing.

他们争论起来的时候我总是努力保持中立。

Clive decided to adopt a neutral position.

克莱夫决定采取中立立场。

The British government acted as a neutral observer during the talks.

英国政府在会谈中扮演了中立观察员的角色。

a country that is neutral does not support any of the countries involved in a war

During World War II, Sweden was neutral.

在第二次世界大战期间，瑞典是中立国。

[neutral territory/waters](bold)(=land or sea that is not controlled by any of the countries involved in a war)

in a place that is not connected with either of the people, groups, or countries that are involved in a discussion, argument, war, or competition

在中立地区；在第三方领土

The talks will be held on neutral ground.

会谈将在第三方领土上举行。

language, words etc that are neutral are deliberately chosen to avoid expressing any strong opinion or feeling

the neutral language of an official news report

官方新闻报道采用的中性语言

if someone says something in a neutral voice, or if they have a neutral expression on their face, they do not show how they are feeling

Bragg said in a neutral voice, ‘The investigation has been closed down.’

布拉格不带感情地说:“调查结束了。”

a neutral colour is a colour such as grey, light brown, or cream

淡雅的，不鲜艳的，素净的〔如灰色、浅棕色或淡黄色〕

Neutral tones give the room a feeling of space.

素净的色调让房间显得宽敞。

a neutral wire, for example in a plug, has no electrical charge17

a neutral substance is neither acid nor alkaline

The plant prefers a neutral or slightly acidic soil.

这种植物适宜于中性或略带酸性的土壤。


neutral

the position of the gears of a car or machine when no power is being sent from the engine to the wheels or other moving parts

〔汽车或机器的〕空挡位置

When you start the engine, make sure the car’s in neutral.

发动引擎时，一定要让汽车处于空挡。

a country, person, or group that is not involved in an argument or disagreement


never

[never the twain shall meet](bold) at → [twain](->twain) sense 2

[Never](bold)  usually comes before a verb: I [never get](bold) to bed before 11.
Don’t say: [Never I get to bed before 11.](strike)

[Never](bold)  usually comes after the verb ‘be’: She [was never](bold) on time.

You sometimes use [never](bold)  before ‘be’ to emphasize that two statements are connected: ‘Sarah was late that day.’ ‘I’m not surprised. She [never was](bold) on time!’

[Never](bold)  usually comes after the auxiliary: I [have never](bold) liked sports.

You sometimes use [never](bold)  before an auxiliary to emphasize that two statements are connected: I don’t enjoy football. I [never have](bold) liked sports.

In writing, you can use [never](bold)  at the beginning of a sentence before an auxiliary to emphasize something: [Never had](bold) she been so confused.

Do you promise never ever to tell anyone else about this?

used to emphasize that you are surprised or annoyed because someone never did something

Jo hasn’t emailed me once in six months.

used to emphasize that you never had a particular thought or idea

‘Did you ever suspect he was cheating on you?’ ‘No, not for a moment.’

Not for one moment did she think it was a trap.

used to say that it is completely impossible that something could ever happen

Dad will never agree to that – not in a million years!

used to emphasize that something never happened

At no time did anyone suggest that the drug was dangerous.

At no time were the prisoners mistreated.

I’m never going back there again, not as long as I live.

只要我活着，我再也不会回到那儿去。

[It is never too late](bold) to give up smoking.

[never ever](bold)(=used to emphasize what you are saying)

I’ll never ever forgive him for leaving me.

我永远不会原谅他离开我。

[Never again](bold)(=never after a particular time) would he return to Naples.

他再也不会回到那不勒斯。

[never in all my life](bold)(=used to emphasize how bad something was)

Never in all my life have I felt so humiliated.

我这辈子从未感到如此羞辱。

[never for one moment](bold)(=used to emphasize that you never thought something)

She had never for one moment imagined that it could happen to her.

她压根儿没想到这事会发生在自己身上。

[sb/sth has never been known to do sth](bold)(=used to say that something is strange because it has never happened before)

Max had never been known to leave home without telling anyone.

马克斯从来没有过不打招呼就出门的时候。

used to say that something which seems unlikely may happen

Try it! You never know, you might be lucky.

试试看！说不定你会走运。

used to mean that you did not know something until now

我一直都不知道你会弹吉他！

used to emphasize that someone did not do something, especially when this seems surprising

I do everything for him, and he’s never so much as made me a cup of coffee.

我什么都为他做，而他连一杯咖啡也没有给我煮过。

used to say that you would not want something to happen

Someone might discover our secret and that would never do.

也许会有人发现我们的秘密，那可绝对不行。

used when you are very surprised by something

‘They’re getting married next month.’ ‘Never!’

“他们下个月要结婚了。”“不可能吧！”

He’s never going to cycle all the way to Manchester!

他绝不可能一路骑自行车去曼彻斯特！

[Well I never](bold)! I wouldn’t have thought she was that old!

啊，不会吧！我没想到她有那么大年纪了！

used to say that you did not do something bad that someone has said you did. Many teachers think this is not correct English

我没干过〔许多教师认为该用法不正确〕

‘You cheated, didn’t you?’ ‘No, I never.’

“你作弊了，是吗？”“不，我没有。”

used to say that you should not say that you will never do something, because there is always a small possibility that you might do it

used to encourage someone not to give up


nevertheless

in spite of a fact that you have just mentioned

What you said was true. It was, nevertheless, a little unkind.

你说的都是实话，只不过有点刻薄。


new

[a new lease of life](bold) at → [lease](->lease) 1 sense 2 [turn over a new leaf](bold) at → [leaf](->leaf) 1 sense 3

If there is more than one adjective, the adjectives are usually used in a fixed order.

You say: We’ve got a lovely new car.
Don’t say: [We’ve got a new lovely car.](strike)

You say: He wore his new blue shirt.
Don’t say: [He wore his blue new shirt.](strike)

an entirely new theory of time and space

different from earlier things of the same kind because of using new methods, equipment, or designs

new and completely different from what other people have done or thought of before, especially in a way that seems interesting

fresh ideas, evidence, or ways of doing things are new and different, and are used instead of previous ones

We need a fresh approach to the problem.

They want young people with fresh ideas.

Police think they may have found some fresh evidence that links him to the murder.

new and different in a surprising and unusual way – used especially about a suggestion, experience, or way of doing something

The club have come up with a novel way of raising cash.

The King was passionately in love, which was a novel experience for him.

completely new and showing a lot of imagination – used especially about a design or way of doing something

an attractive website with an innovative design

They came up with an innovative approach to the problem.

completely new in a way that has a very big effect – used especially about an idea, method, or invention

a revolutionary treatment for breast cancer

His theories were considered to be revolutionary at the time.

used about something that is new and modern but which you disapprove of

My grandfather hated all this newfangled technology.

recently made, built, invented, written, designed etc

新造的；新建的；新发明[创作，设计]的

The hardest part of this job is understanding the new technology.

这项工作最难的地方是理解新技术。

你喜欢我新买的连衣裙吗？

[new hope/confidence/optimism etc](bold)(=hope etc that you have only just started to feel)

a medical breakthrough that offers new hope to cancer patients

给癌症患者带来新希望的医学突破

I got a used video camera for £300 – it would have cost £1,000 if I’d [bought](bold) it [new](bold).

我花300英镑买了一台二手摄像机，如果买新的要花1,000英镑。

Jake arrived in his [brand new](bold)(=completely new) car.

a [spanking new](bold)(=completely new) conference centre

Your watch just needs cleaning and it’ll be as good as new.

你的手表只要清洁一下就会跟新的一样。

Learning a new language is always a challenge.

学习一门新的语言总是一项挑战。

Living in the city was a new experience for Philip.

在城市里生活对菲利普来说是一种新的经历。

这个想法对他来说很新鲜。

[that’s a new one on me](bold) [spoken](special)(=used to say that you have never heard something before)

‘The office is going to be closed for six weeks this summer.’ ‘Really? That’s a new one on me.’

“办事处今年夏天要关闭六个星期。”“是吗？我还是头一次听说这事。”

having recently arrived in a place, joined an organization, or started a new job

新来的；新加入的；刚入职的

Don’t worry if you make mistakes. You’re still new to the job.

别怕犯错，你才刚刚开始干这份工作呢。

[new kid on the block](bold) [informal](special)(=the newest person in a job, school etc)

It’s not always easy being the new kid on the block.

当新手并非总是件轻松的事。

[the new boy/girl](bold) BrE(=the newest person in a job, organization etc – used humorously)

recently replaced or different from the previous one

你见过基思新交的女朋友吗？

我会给你我的新电话号码。

important new evidence that may prove her innocence

可能证明她清白的重要新证据

new potatoes,carrots etc are grown early in the season and eaten when young

a period that is just beginning, especially one that seems to offer better opportunities

They went to Australia to start a new life there.

他们去澳大利亚开始新的生活。

to feel much healthier and have a lot more energy than before, or to have a different attitude

I lost 19 pounds and felt like a new man.

我体重减了19磅，感到自己像换了一个人。

someone who has recently arrived or started work somewhere

The children are thrilled with the new arrival.

刚出生的宝宝让孩子们非常兴奋。

new members of a group or organization who will bring new ideas and be full of energy

〔团体或组织中的〕新鲜血液，新成员，新生力量

What we need in this company is some new blood.

我们这家公司需要的是新生力量。

someone who has just started work in a high position in an organization and who is expected to make a lot of changes

〔期待带来变革的〕新上任官员

The company seems set to make a fresh start under a new broom.

看来该公司在新领导的带领下会有一个新的开始。

used as a friendly greeting to mean ‘how are you?’

〔招呼语〕怎么样？你好吗？

This charming hotel is a delightful blend of the old and the new.

这家漂亮的宾馆完美融合了新旧元素。

used to say that something is thought to be the new fashion that will replace an existing thing

某物是 …更时尚的替代品

Brown is the new black(=brown clothes are very fashionable now).

棕色替代黑色成为流行色。

新造的/新建立的/新提出的等


newcomer

someone who has only recently arrived somewhere or only recently started a particular activity

I’m a relative newcomer to the retail business.

我在零售行业相对来说还是个新手。

a special award for the most promising newcomer

颁发给最有前途新人的特殊奖项

The most glamorous newcomer to the Volkswagen Golf range is the revamped GTi 16 valve.

大众高尔夫系列最具魅力的新车型是经改良的GTi 16气门款。


newly

新当选的/新成立的/刚到的等

→see THESAURUS at [recently](->recently)


news

[News](bold)  is an uncountable noun and is followed by a singular verb: The news [was](bold) not very good.

[News](bold)  is used with the singular form of words such as [this](bold)  and [that](bold) : He was shocked when he heard this news.
Don’t say: [these news](strike)

If someone or something is [on the news](bold) , they appear or there is a report about them on a television or radio news programme: The minister was on the 10 o’clock news. I saw the pictures of the crash on the news.

If someone or something is [in the news](bold) , they are being discussed in newspapers and on news programmes: Education has been in the news a lot this week.

He’s feeling much better, so that’s good news.

They’re getting married? That’s wonderful news!

The lower interest rates will be welcome news to home owners.

‘I’m afraid I have bad news,’ said Jackson.

Have you heard the terrible news about Simon?

Mom sent a letter with all the latest news.

She wasn’t surprised; it was old news to her.

I’ve got some important news to tell you.

The big news is that Polly and Richard are going to get married.

I could tell by his face that he had some news.

Jack called him to tell him the good news.

Two policemen came to the door to break the news about her husband.

After she had the baby, her husband made phone calls to spread the happy news.

(=hear about something that has happened)

She was really upset when she heard the news.

(=say that you are pleased about some news)

Environmental groups welcomed the news that the area would be protected.

greet the news with surprise/delight etc

(=react to the news in a particular way)

Fans greeted the news of the victory with a loud cheer.

(=a lot of people find out the news from other people)

Leo thought about this piece of news carefully.

(=used to introduce a piece of good and bad news)

The good news is that most stores have the game in stock; the bad news is that it’s not cheap.

information about something that has happened recently

I hope to have some good news for you soon.

我希望很快就能给你好消息。

We are delighted at the news that our daughter is expecting a baby.

听到女儿怀孕的消息，我们很高兴。

What’s the latest news on your university application?

你的大学申请有什么最新消息吗？

Everyone is shocked by the news of the arrests.

每个人都对拘捕的消息感到震惊。

reports of recent events in the newspapers or on the radio or television

We’ve got the [news headlines](bold) coming up at half past twelve.

12点半我们将播放新闻提要。

Here’s the sports news from Jane Murray.

下面是简·默里发来的体育新闻。

the [latest news](bold) from the Olympic stadium

从奥林匹克体育场传来的最新消息

news on the latest developments in the talks

Several evening papers carried the news that a cabinet minister was about to resign.

好几家晚报报道了一名内阁大臣将要辞职的消息。

Twenty years ago environmental issues rarely [made the news](bold)(=were rarely considered important enough to be in the news).

20年前，环境问题很少成为新闻。

今天上午的新闻中报道了香港。

His resignation [was front page news](bold)(=was important news).

Never before has a news story triggered such sensational sales of the newspaper.

从来没有一则新闻报道能给这份报纸带来如此令人振奋的销量。

a regular television or radio programme that gives you reports of recent events

〔电视或电台的〕新闻报道，新闻节目

Be quiet. I want to [listen to the news](bold).

It must be true – I heard it on the news last night.

这肯定是真的，我昨晚在新闻节目中听到的。

[switch/turn/put on the news](bold)(=turn the television or radio on for the news)

if the facts about something are good or bad news for someone, they are likely to make life better or worse for them

There is no legal market for African ivory, which is good news for the elephants.

非洲象牙没有合法的交易市场，这对大象来说是个福音。

used to say that someone is likely to cause trouble

他/她是祸水〔指某人可能会带来麻烦〕

离那家伙远一点，沾上他没好事。

if someone or something is news, people are interested in them at the moment and want to know about them

European fashions [are big news](bold) right now in the States.

欧洲时尚目前正风靡美国。

used when you are surprised or annoyed because you have not been told something earlier

我一点都不知道！〔表示惊讶或生气〕

‘The meeting’s been cancelled.’ ‘That’s news to me!’

“会议取消了。”“我一点都不知道！”

used to say that you are going to tell someone the facts about something, which they will probably not like to hear

我有消息要告诉你〔可能是对方不愿意听的消息〕

You may think I’m finished, but I’ve got news for you – I’ll be back.

你可能认为我完蛋了——不过告诉你，我会卷土重来的。

used when you have not received any news about someone and you hope this means that nothing bad has happened


newsletter

a short written report of news about a club, organization etc that is sent regularly to people who are interested

〔俱乐部、团体等给特定读者定期寄发的〕通讯，简报

The society publishes a newsletter twice a year.

该社团一年出版两次简报。


newspaper

You read something [in a newspaper](bold) : She saw an ad in the newspaper.
Don’t say: [on the newspaper](strike)

You often talk about [the newspaper](bold) : I read something about it in the newspaper.
Don’t say: [in newspaper](strike)

The New York Times is a popular daily newspaper.

a newspaper. [Paper](bold) is more common than [newspaper](bold) in everyday English

There was an interesting article in the local paper today.

newspapers and news magazines in general, and the people who write for them

The press are always interested in stories about the royal family.

newspapers, magazines, television, radio, and the Internet, considered as a group that provides news and information

This issue has received a lot of attention in the media.

Her public image was shaped by the media.

a newspaper that has small pages, a lot of photographs, short stories, and not much serious news

The tabloids are full of stories about her and her boyfriend.

a serious newspaper printed on large sheets of paper, with news about politics, finance, and foreign affairs

the newspapers that give news about the whole country where they are printed, in contrast to local newspapers

The results of the nationwide survey became headlines in the nationals.

a piece of writing in a newspaper about a particular subject

a piece of writing in a newspaper about an event

a report in a newspaper about an event, especially one that is not very serious or reliable

You can’t always believe what you read in newspaper stories.

the title of an important newspaper article, printed in large letters above the article. The [headlines](bold) are the titles of the most important stories on the front page

The singer’s drug problem has been constantly in the headlines.

the page on the front of a newspaper which has the most important news stories

the pages in a newspaper dealing with a particular area of news such as sports, business, or entertainment

the page of a newspaper on which the editor of a newspaper and other people express their opinions about the news, rather than just giving facts

an editorial on the vaccination programme

an article on a particular subject or by a particular writer that appears regularly

We don’t get a newspaper; we tend to watch the news on TV.

I saw in the newspaper that he had died.

Her photo appeared in all the newspapers.

The newspapers reported that the police were treating the death as a suicide.

The story was in all the national newspapers.

The store advertises in the local newspaper.

(=one that is published every day/week/Sunday)

(=a small-sized newspaper, especially one with not much serious news)

Their wedding made the headlines in all the tabloid newspapers.

(=a newspaper with a lot of serious news and good writing)

The story has not been given as much coverage in the quality newspapers.

I read quite an interesting newspaper report on the war.

‘Wine is good for you’ announced a recent newspaper headline.

(=a regular article in a newspaper written by a particular journalist)

She writes a regular newspaper column about gardening.

I found some old newspaper cuttings of the band's first concert in Liverpool.

She was fed up with being followed by newspaper reporters.

Ultimately, it’s the newspaper proprietor who decides what goes into the newspaper.

a set of large folded sheets of printed paper containing news, articles, pictures, advertisements etc which is sold daily or weekly

她已经在报纸上看到了这件事。

a series of newspaper articles about life in Cuba

刊登在报纸上的一系列关于古巴生活的文章

In everyday English, people often say [paper](bold)  rather than [newspaper](bold) :

Wrap the plates in newspaper to stop them from breaking.

用旧报纸把盘子包起来，免得打碎。

Bella laid the flowers out carefully on a [sheet of newspaper](bold).

贝拉小心地把花摊开放在一张报纸上。

他在本地的一家报社工作。


New Year

the time when people celebrate the beginning of a new year

We’re going to spend Christmas and the New Year with my parents.

我们打算和我父母一起过圣诞节和新年。

The business will be closed over New Year.

[Happy New Year](bold)(=used as a greeting)

Our neighbours invited us round to [see in the new year](bold)(=celebrate the beginning of the year).

邻居邀请我们去他们家迎新年。

Prices are expected to go up in the new year.

预计新年伊始物价会上涨。


New Year's Eve

新年前日〔12月31日〕


next

happening or coming immediately after another one

When does the next train to London leave?

happening or coming immediately after something – used about periods of time, or parts of a piece of writing

happening or coming at some time after something else

This will be explained in more detail in subsequent chapters.

This figure is expected to rise steeply in subsequent years.

coming after someone or something else – used about a series of groups of people, periods of time, or parts of a book

Succeeding governments have made the same mistake.

During the succeeding weeks he wrote several more letters.

The information will be mailed to members during the coming weeks.

The villagers are storing up wood for the coming winter.

the next event, day, time etc is the one that happens after the present one, or the previous one

〔时间〕紧接着的；下次的

I just missed my flight to Chicago. When’s the next one?

我刚错过去芝加哥的航班。下一班是几点钟？

We’ll look at the proposals at the next meeting.

下一次会议我们要研究一下这些提议。

Over the next couple of months, try to relax more and get more exercise.

接下来的几个月里，要尽量多放松、多运动。

We’re hoping to open the factory sometime next year.

我们希望工厂能在明年某个时候开工。

[the next day/week etc](bold)(=on or during the following day, week etc)

She called me and we arranged to meet the next day.

她给我打了电话，我们约好第二天见面。

Next time I go skiing, I’ll wear warmer clothes.

下一次去滑雪的时候，我要穿得暖和一点。

the next house, room, place etc is the one that is nearest to where you are now

We could hear them arguing in the next room.

我们能听到他们在隔壁房间里争论。

the next person or thing in a list, series etc comes after the one that you are dealing with now

〔次序〕下一个的，紧接在后的

Read the next two chapters before Friday.

星期五之前看完接下来的两章。

Do they have the [next size up](bold)(=a slightly bigger size)?

他们有没有大一号的尺寸？

almost as big, more common etc than the one you are talking about

Cancer-related diseases are the next biggest killers.

与癌症相关的疾病是第二大杀手。

the thing or situation that is almost as good as the one you really want

仅次于最好的东西[状况]

If I can’t be home for Christmas, phoning you on the day is the next best thing.

如果圣诞节我回不了家，就退而求其次，到那天给你打个电话。

used when something surprising happens very suddenly

〔意外发生时〕我/她等只知道

The next thing I knew, I was lying face down on the pavement.

等我反应过来时，我已经趴在人行道上了。

I am as keen to do well as the next man.

我像别人一样渴望自己能干得出色。


next

With John here, you never know what will happen next.

有约翰在这里，你永远都不会知道接下来会发生什么事。

Next, put it in the oven for 20 minutes.

然后把它放到烤箱里烤20分钟。

When I next saw her she completely ignored me.

我再次见到她时，她压根儿没有理我。


next

the person or thing in a list, series etc that comes after the person or thing you are dealing with now

购物单上的下一项是什么？

the day, week etc that follows the next one

Have you remembered it’s Susie’s birthday the week after next?

你还记得下下个星期是苏茜的生日吗？

used to tell someone that it is now their turn to speak or their turn to do something

to be the next person, especially to have a job or position

是下一位〔尤指工作或职位的继任者〕


next door

in the house, room etc next to yours or someone else’s


next door

[n](bold) <[U](bold)> ([BrE](special)) [informal](special)

the people living in the house or apartment next to yours

你看到隔壁邻居的新车了吗？


next of kin

your closest living relative or relatives

May I have your name, address and next of kin, please?

请告诉我您的姓名、住址和直系亲属。


next to

very close to someone or something, with no other person, building, place etc in between

The hotel was right next to the airport.

next to the side of someone or something

next to something – often used about being very close to a window, door, or the edge of something such as an area of water

Weymouth is a pretty little town by the sea.

in the building or room next to yours, or next to another one

The house next door is much bigger than ours.

Have you met the people who’ve just moved in next door?

close to the side of something, especially a river, railway, boat, or vehicle

I decided to take the path alongside the railway track.

a building, room, or piece of land that is adjacent to another one is next to it

They walked through a rose garden adjacent to the hospital.

The blaze spread to two adjacent buildings.

an adjoining room, building, or piece of land is one that is next to another one and is joined to it

There was a little girl sitting next to him.

He knows next to nothing about antiques.

used to give a list of things you like, hate etc in order to say what is first on the list

Next to soccer, I like playing tennis best.

我最喜欢踢足球，其次是打网球。

和她比起来，我的厨艺太差了。

几乎不可能的/几乎没有用的等

This crossword puzzle is next to impossible.

这个纵横字谜几乎不可能做出来。


nice

[niceness](bold) n. <U> eg: The first thing you noticed about him was his niceness.

[no more Mr Nice Guy!](bold) at → [guy](->guy) sense 5

If there is more than one adjective, the adjectives are usually used in a fixed order.

You say: There are some nice old houses.
Don’t say: [There are some old nice houses.](strike)

You say: I had a nice long sleep.
Don’t say: [I had a long nice sleep.](strike)

You can use [nice and](bold)  followed by another adjective after [be](bold) : The weather was nice and warm.

Before a noun you must leave out [and](bold) : a nice warm bath
Don’t say: [a nice and warm bath](strike)

friendly, kind, or polite. In written and formal English, it is better to use a more specific and interesting adjective than [nice](bold)

friendly, polite, and easy to talk to – used especially about someone that you do not know very well

I only met her once or twice but she seemed pleasant.

behaving in a polite and friendly way, which makes people like you and want to do things for you

interesting or amusing in a way that makes people like you – a rather formal word

easy to like and seeming nice and friendly

Bobby was a likeable kid with an angelic face.

having a nice kind character and not getting angry easily

Everyone likes Mike because he’s always so good-natured.

used about someone who you like and admire a lot

All the people I met on the course were lovely.

used about something that seems pleasant and has a lot of qualities that make you like it

a charming little village in the Italian countryside

I thought the restaurant was rather charming.

There are many delightful walks in the area.

a pleasurable experience or feeling is one that you enjoy

Shopping in the old city can be a pleasurable experience.

令人愉快的，吸引人的，美好的

It’s such a [nice day](bold)(=good weather), why not go for a swim?

天气真好，为什么不去游泳呢？

你穿那套西装看上去不错。

[nice and warm/clean/easy/quiet etc](bold)

[One of the nice things about](bold) Christmas is having all the family together.

圣诞节的一个好处是全家可以聚首一堂。

→see THESAURUS at [friendly](->friendly) 1   →see THESAURUS at [kind](->kind) 2

That’s not a very nice thing to say about your sister!

Tim spilt wine all over the sofa, but Martha was very nice about it.

蒂姆把酒洒得沙发上都是，不过玛莎对此很宽容。

They were very nice to me while I was ill.

我生病的时候他们对我很好。

He told me, [in the nicest possible way](bold), that I was interfering too much.

他尽可能客气地告诉我，我干涉得太多了。

used to say what you like or what you think would be good or useful

It’s quite nice to live so close to work.

住得离上班地点那么近真是件好事。

[that’d be nice](bold)(=used to accept an offer or agree with a suggestion)

‘Would you like a cup of coffee?’ ‘Yes, that’d be nice.’

“要喝杯咖啡吗？”“好的，给我来一杯。”

I thought it would be a [nice idea](bold) to send them some flowers.

我觉得给他们送些花是个好主意。

[It would be nice if](bold) you could let us know in advance.

used to mean that you feel happier when you know something

I still haven’t heard any news – it would be nice to know what’s happening.

我还是没有得到任何消息，要是能知道发生了什么事就好了。

It’s nice to know that there’s someone nearby if she needs help.

知道当她需要帮助的时候有人在她身边，这样就放心了。

used to say goodbye to someone, especially to customers in shops and restaurants when they are leaving

谢谢光临！再见！〔尤为商店店员、餐厅服务员向顾客告别时的用语〕

used as a friendly greeting when you meet someone for the first time

很高兴认识你〔初次见面时的礼貌用语〕

你好。终于见到你了，我真高兴。

used when you say goodbye to someone you have met for the first time

能认识你真高兴〔初次见面后的告别用语〕

used in a humorous or angry way when you really think that something or someone is not at all good or pleasant

坏的，令人不愉快的〔幽默用法，或为一种生气的表达〕

That’s a nice way to treat a friend, I must say!

我得说，你这样对待朋友太不像话了！

哎呀，我们现在搞得一团糟。

used when someone has made a guess or suggestion, or has attempted to do something, to say that it is good, but not quite correct or successful

‘We could phone Mark to come and pick us up.’ ‘Nice try, Clive, but we haven’t got his number.’

“我们可以给马克打电话让他来接我们。”“这主意好是好，克莱夫，不过我们没有他的电话号码。”

used when someone has just said or done something clever, amusing, or helpful

真聪明！真好笑！好极了！

‘Dad said he’d help pay for it.’ ‘Nice one!’

“爸爸说他会帮我们付账。”“太好了！”

if someone is as nice as pie, they are not angry with you when you were expecting them to be

非常友好；〔出乎意料地〕没有生气

used humorously to say that someone has a very easy or enjoyable job, especially one which you would like to do

能有这样的好事就好了〔幽默用法，表示认为对方的工作轻松有趣〕

involving a very small difference or detail

having high standards of moral and social behaviour

What’s a [nice girl](bold) like you doing in a place like this?

你这样一个正派姑娘在这种地方干什么？

used when saying that part of something is good or well done, but a more important part is bad or badly done

〔一部分〕是好的，不过〔更重要的那部分〕不好

录像倒是不错，不过歌曲不怎么样。

to make an effort to be nice to someone, especially so that they will like you

（对某人）表现得友好〔尤为讨好别人〕

It’s a good idea to make nice with your girlfriend’s parents.

和你女朋友的父母搞好关系是个不错的主意。


nicely

in a satisfactory, pleasant, or attractive way

The table fits in nicely with the rest of the furniture.

桌子和其他家具非常相配。

The garden’s [coming along](bold) very [nicely](bold) now (=it is growing well).

花园里的花草现在长得很好。

I’m sure he’ll help if you ask him nicely.

我敢肯定如果你好好求他，他会帮忙的。

to be successful and be earning a lot of money

Ed’s [doing](bold) very [nicely for himself](bold) out in Japan.

used when saying that something is very suitable and is just what you want

‘Will cheese sandwiches be okay?’ ‘Yes, that’ll do nicely.’

“干酪三明治行不行？”“行，非常好。”


niche

She feels that she has her own niche in the company.

He had a hard time finding his niche academically.

(=do something in a particular way that is different to and better than anyone else)

She had carved out a niche for herself as a children's television presenter.

As a player, he's carved out his own special niche on the team.

I feel as if I've found my little niche in life.

Everyone has their own niche within the sales team.

if you find your niche, you find a job or activity that is very suitable for you

合适[称心]的工作[活动]

Amanda soon [found](bold) her [niche](bold) at the club.

阿曼达很快就在俱乐部里找到了一份理想的工作。

He’s managed to create a niche for himself in local politics.

他终于在当地政坛闯出了一方天地。

an opportunity to sell a product or service to a particular group of people who have similar needs, interests etc

〔产品或服务的〕商机；狭缝市场

He spotted [a niche in the market](bold).

他发现了市场中的一个商机。

a hollow place in a wall, often made to hold a statue


niche

relating to selling goods to a particular small group of people who have similar needs, interests etc

〔产品〕针对特定小群体的


nickname

[nickname](bold) v. <T> eg: She was nicknamed Sunny because of her happy nature.

a name given to someone, especially by their friends or family, that is not their real name and is often connected with what they look like or something they have done

〔尤指给朋友或家人取的〕绰号，外号；诨名

我们给所有老师都起了外号。

Stephen earned himself the nickname Hawkeye.

斯蒂芬得了个“鹰眼”的绰号。


niece

the daughter of your brother or sister, or the daughter of your wife’s or husband’s brother or sister


night

You say that something happens [on](bold)  a particular [night](bold) : The children stayed at their grandmother’s on Friday night. There will be a full moon on the night of October 21. They asked him where he was on the night of the fire.

You use [in the night](bold)  when saying that something happens at some time during a particular night: The baby kept crying in the night.
Don’t say: [The baby kept crying on the night.](strike)

You use [at night](bold)  when saying that something often happens during the night: The noise of the traffic keeps me awake at night.

You use [by night](bold)  when saying that a person or animal does something at night instead of during the day: Owls hunt by night. They travelled by night to avoid being seen by the police.

You use [at night](bold)  when talking about a time before midnight: We didn’t get back till 11 o’clock at night.

You use [in the morning](bold)  when talking about a time after midnight: We had to get up at four in the morning.

I haven’t seen him since Thursday night.

I’m really tired - I need an early night.

(=a night when you do not sleep or you work hard)

Everyone was tired and grumpy. It had been a long night.

She had spent a sleepless night wondering what to do.

You’re welcome to stay the night if you like.

(=not sleep well, especially when you are ill)

The pain gradually got better as the night wore on.

We looked up at the stars in the night sky.

(=used to emphasize that something continues for the whole night)

(=used when something happens very late at night, and you are surprised)

Why are you calling me at this time of night?

Staff worked late into the night to make necessary repairs.

She woke up suddenly in the middle of the night.

(=in the middle of the night when it is quiet)

He drove through the countryside in the dead of night.

She nagged at him morning, noon, and night.

the dark part of each 24-hour period when the sun cannot be seen and when most people sleep

At night the temperature drops below zero.

星期五晚上有过一场暴风雨。

the time during the evening until you go to bed

We had a really good meal [last night](bold).

昨晚我们吃了一顿非常美味的晚餐。

They stay in and watch television [every night](bold).

他们每天晚上待在家里看电视。

She recognised him from [the night before](bold)(=the previous evening).

她前一天晚上就认出他了。

My parents are coming for dinner [tomorrow night](bold).

我父母明晚要过来吃晚饭。

There’s a party at Ben’s place on Saturday night.

星期六晚上本的家里有个聚会。

We were on our way back from a [night out](bold)(=an evening when you go to a party, restaurant, theatre etc) at the theatre.

我们在晚上看完戏回家的路上。

Anna doesn’t like him walking home [late at night](bold).

安娜不想让他深夜走路回家。

[quiz night/student night etc](bold)(=an evening when a particular event happens, especially at a bar, club etc)

if you do something nights, you do it regularly or often at night

I [work nights,](bold) so I’m usually asleep during the day.

我上夜班，因此我白天通常在睡觉。

used to say goodbye to someone when it is late in the evening or when they are going to bed

used to say goodbye to someone, especially a child, when they are going to bed

晚安！〔尤用于对小孩子说〕

这家商店日夜都有人看守。

We had to work night and day to get it finished.

为了完成那项任务，我们夜以继日地干。

〔长期以来〕每晚，一夜又一夜地

We saw ‘Riverdance’ on its opening night.

我们看了《大河之舞》的首场演出。

spend the night with sb/spend the night together

to sleep with someone and have sex with them

和某人过夜〔并发生性关系〕

And you thought we spent the night together?

那么你认为我们在一起过夜了？

You’ll feel better after a good night’s sleep.

好好睡一晚，你会感觉好些的。

to go to bed later or earlier than usual

at the end of the day, just before you go to bed

You should water plants either first thing in the morning or last thing at night.

你要么早上起来给花草浇水，要么临睡之前浇。


nightclub

a place where people go to dance and drink, which is open late at night

In everyday English, people often say [club](bold)  rather than [nightclub](bold) :

Do want to go out to a [club](bold) afterwards?


nightmare

The whole day was an absolute nightmare.

The situation with our neighbours is a real nightmare!

The ultimate nightmare for any parent is to suffer the loss of a child.

The outbreak of foot and mouth disease was farming's worst nightmare.

How can we bring an end to the long nightmare in the Middle East?

(=something extremely bad that happens in your life)

Being told I had cancer was a waking nightmare.

(=something that is very complicated and difficult to organize)

Arranging childcare during the summer can be a logistical nightmare.

(=something that is very complicated and difficult to keep accurate records of)

Dealing with so many new applications for asylum is an administrative nightmare.

(=a very bad situation that affects only one person)

His personal nightmare began when he was arrested for murder.

Their honeymoon turned into a nightmare when they were involved in a car accident.

The nightmare began when her mother fell ill.

He longed for something to end the nightmare.

(=something bad that someone fears actually happens)

The company's worst financial nightmare has now come true.

Emergency planners are trying to prepare for this nightmare scenario.

(=a very bad situation that might happen)

The book gives us a nightmare vision of a family destroyed by one man's secrets.

(=a situation in which everything is bad and there is nothing good)

It's hard to understand how people survived the nightmare world of the concentration camps.

Commuters are facing a nightmare journey to work due to the tube drivers strike.

Years after the accident I still [have nightmares](bold) about it.

事故发生很多年后，我依然会做噩梦。

a [recurring nightmare](bold)(=one which you have again and again)

a very difficult, unpleasant, or frightening experience or situation

棘手的[不愉快的，可怕的]经历[情况]

This has been an absolute nightmare for me and my family.

这对我和我的家庭来说一直都是件非常可怕的事。

It was every teacher’s [worst nightmare](bold)(=the worst thing which could have happened).

对每位老师来说，那都是一场最可怕的梦魇。

something terrible that you fear may happen in the future

[nightmare scenario](bold)(=the worst or most frightening situation that you can imagine)


nine

[dressed up to the nines](bold) at → [dressed](->dressed) sense 4 [be on cloud nine](bold) at → [cloud](->cloud) 1 sense 5

He’s only been in this job for nine months.

Kay was taught by her mother till she was nine (=nine years old).

凯一直由她妈妈教到九岁。

十之八九，几乎总是，几乎每次

Nine times out of ten we can solve the problem over the phone.

我们基本上都可以通过电话来解决问题。

a thing or event that makes people very excited for a short time

轰动一时的事物；昙花一现的新鲜事

to make lucky escapes from dangerous situations


nineteen

[nineteenth](bold) adj. pron. eg: in the nineteenth century eg: her nineteenth birthday eg: I’m planning to leave on [the nineteenth](bold)(=the 19th day of the month).

if you talk nineteen to the dozen, you talk very quickly and without stopping


ninety

[ninetieth](bold) adj. eg: her ninetieth birthday

90年代的美国要富裕得多。

The industry received a lot of bad publicity in the early nineties.

该行业在90年代早期受到了大量负面宣传。

My grandfather was in his early nineties when he died.

我祖父去世的时候90岁出头。

if the temperature is in the nineties, it is between 90 degrees and 99 degrees

Temperatures were still in the high nineties.


ninth

[ninth](bold) pron. eg: I’m planning to leave [on the ninth](bold)(=ninth day of the month).

coming after eight other things in a series


nitrogen

a gas that has no colour or smell, and that forms most of the Earth’s air. It is a chemical element: symbol N

氮〔一种化学元素，符号为N〕


no

[no longer](bold) at → [long](->long) 2 sense 7

used to give a negative reply to a question, offer, or request

不，不行〔对问题、提议或请求表示否定或拒绝〕

“你是意大利人吗？”“不，我是西班牙人。”

‘Do you want any more?’ ‘[No thanks](bold).’

“你还要再来点吗？”“不要了，谢谢。”

‘Could you help me write this?’ ‘No, sorry, I haven’t got time at the moment.’

“你能帮我写这个吗？”“抱歉，不行，我现在没时间。”

He wanted to take me to a disco but I [said no](bold).

他想带我去迪斯科舞厅，但是我拒绝了。

If you’re asking whether I feel the same way about her, [the answer is no](bold).

如果你问的是我对她是否也有相同的感觉，答案是没有。

used to say that you disagree with a statement

‘You’re always complaining about work.’ ‘No, I’m not!’

“你总在抱怨工作。”“不，我没有！”

used to say that you agree with a negative statement

是，对〔对否定陈述表示赞同〕

‘They shouldn’t drive so fast.’ ‘No, it’s really dangerous.’

“他们开车不该那么快。”“没错，那样真的很危险。”

used to tell someone not to do something

别〔告诉某人不要做某事〕

别，吉米，别碰那个开关。

used to show that you are shocked, surprised, annoyed, or disappointed by what someone has just told you, or by what has just happened

不会吧，不可能〔表示惊讶、生气或失望〕

‘She’s nearly fifty.’ ‘No, you’re kidding!’

“她快50岁了。”“不可能，你在开玩笑吧！”

哦，不好，我把钱包丢了！

不，不对〔用于纠正自己刚说过的话〕

He’s the director, no, the assistant director, of the company.

他是这家公司的经理，不，是副经理。

if someone won’t take no for an answer, they are determined that you should agree to do something

He insists on taking us all out to dinner and he won’t take no for an answer.

他坚持要带我们大家都出去吃晚饭，不容我们拒绝。

used before comparatives to mean ‘not even a small amount’

一点也不 …〔用于比较级之前〕

我会付给你75美元，就这些。

你一点也不比他们其余的人好。


no

冰箱里没剩下什么食物了。

No trains will be affected by this incident.

不会有列车受到这起事件的影响。

一所没有中央暖气系统的房子

There’s no excuse for that kind of behaviour.

used on signs to say that something is not allowed

used to emphasize that it is not possible to do something

不可能做某事〔用于强调〕

[There’s no knowing](bold) what this lunatic will do next.

谁也不知道这个疯子接下来会干什么。

[There is no denying](bold) the suffering of these families (=they are definitely suffering).

这些家庭所遭受的痛苦是无可否认的。

used to emphasize that the opposite of a particular description is true

不是，并不〔用于强调情况相反〕

That girl’s no fool (=she is intelligent).

If he has to do it all himself, it will be no bad thing (=a good thing).

如果他必须一个人去做，那也不是什么坏事。


noble

morally good or generous in a way that is admired

It’s very noble of you to spend all your weekends helping the old folk.

你心地真好，周末的时间全都用来帮助老人。

The Marquis would have to marry a woman of noble blood.

那位侯爵必须和有贵族血统的女子结婚。

something that is noble is very impressive and beautiful

a noble gas or metal is not affected chemically by other substances

someone who comes from a society that is less developed or interested in money than western countries, making them morally better than people who live in western countries


noble

a member of the highest social class with a title such as ‘Duke’ or ‘Countess’


nobody

[be nobody’s fool](bold) at → [fool](->fool) 1 sense 5

Don’t use another negative word such as ‘not’ or ‘nothing’ after [nobody](bold) . You say: Nobody came. [Nobody](bold) said [anything](bold).
Don’t say: [Nobody didn’t come.](strike)  [Nobody said nothing.](strike)

Don’t use ‘of’ after [nobody](bold) .
Don’t say: [nobody of them](strike)  [nobody of his parents ](strike)

You use [none of](bold)  when talking about a group of people: None of them saw him.

You use [neither of](bold)  when talking about two people: Neither of his parents went to the wedding.

[Nobody](bold)  is written as one word.
Don’t write: [no body](strike)

I knocked on the door but nobody answered.

我敲了敲门，但没人应门。


nobody

someone who is not important and has no influence

无名小卒，小人物，无足轻重的人

I was a nothing and a nobody with everything to prove.

我一无所成，事事都有待证明。


nod

[past tense and past participle](italic) [nodded](bold) [present participle](italic) [nodding](bold)

to move your head up and down, especially in order to show agreement or understanding

〔尤指表示赞同或理解而〕点（头）

I asked her if she was ready to go, and she nodded.

我问她是否已准备好出发，她点了点头。

Mom [nodded](bold) her [head](bold) sympathetically.

[nod your approval/agreement etc](bold)(=show your approval etc by nodding)

to move your head down and up again once in order to greet someone or give someone a sign to do something

点头（致意）；点头（示意）

The judge nodded at the foreman to proceed.

法官点头示意首席陪审员继续说。

她走过时向我们点了点头。

to know a little about a subject but not a lot

Students will need to have a nodding acquaintance with Spanish.

学生们将需要粗通西班牙语。

(also: [be on nodding terms (with sb)](bold) ([BrE](bold)) )


nod

[the land of nod](bold) at → [land](->land) 1 sense 9

The woman greeted us with a nod of the head.

那个女人向我们点点头打招呼。

I showed the doorman my card and he [gave](bold) a friendly [nod](bold).

我向门卫出示了卡片，他友善地点了点头。

to give or be given permission to do something

同意某人的请求/得到某人的许可

We’re waiting for the boss to give us the nod on this one.

by general agreement and without people discussing it

The chairman’s proposals are usually passed on the nod.

主席的提议通常是无须讨论就一致通过的。

used to tell someone that you have understood something, although it was said in an indirect way


noise

a loud sound, especially an unpleasant one

Traffic noise is a problem in inner-city areas.

Why is the washing machine making so much noise?

a loud unpleasant noise, especially one that annoys you. [Racket](bold) is more informal than [din](bold)

I wish those kids would stop making such a racket.

I shouted to make myself heard above the din of the crowd.

a very loud unpleasant noise, especially one that continues for a long time

a loud noise that continues for a long time – used about the noise from an engine, the traffic, a crowd, the sea, or the wind

She heard the roar of a motorbike behind her.

the roar of the waves breaking on the beach

the roar of the crowd at the Blue Jays baseball game

the unclear sound of a lot of people talking and moving around in a place

It’s a wonderful place to escape from the hubbub of London’s busy streets.

a noise made by people arguing or fighting

There was a big commotion going on outside the building.

He went downstairs to find out what was causing the commotion.

a loud noise made by a group of people or things all making a noise at the same time

The car engine was making a funny noise.

The noise seemed to be coming from the kitchen.

The rain made a loud noise against the window.

(=a noise with a particular kind of sound)

The water moved through the pipes with a loud gurgling noise.

She was fed up with the constant noise of traffic.

(=noise of things that are happening around you)

The background noise made it hard to hear what he was saying.

It was peaceful there, with no traffic noise at all.

The hospital is trying to reduce noise levels to help patients sleep.

(=noise from cars, planes etc which has a bad effect on people’s lives)

The new airport will increase noise pollution in the surrounding area.

a sound, especially one that is loud, unpleasant, or frightening

噪声，杂音；嘈杂声，喧闹声

Try not to [make](bold) a [noise](bold) when you go upstairs.

There was a strange whistling noise in his ears.

There was [a lot of noise](bold) outside.

[Noise levels](bold) have been reduced by 20%.

the problem of aircraft noise near airports

(make) encouraging/optimistic etc noises (about sth)

to say things which suggest what your opinion or attitude is, without saying it directly

（就某事说）鼓励/乐观等的话

Both sides were making hopeful noises about the hostages.

双方都在表示人质还有希望。

to say the things that other people want or expect to hear

The health minister seems to be making all the right noises.

卫生部长似乎只是在随声附和。

to say that you are considering doing something

He is now making noises about starting his own business.

他表示正在考虑自己创业。

to talk about something a lot, so that people will notice it – used to show disapproval

经常谈论某个话题〔含贬义〕

modern men who make a noise about the fact that they know how to look good

总是夸耀自己懂得如何打扮的时髦男子

unwanted signals produced by an electrical circuit

〔电路引起的〕杂音，干扰（信号）

pieces of unwanted information that can prevent a computer from working effectively

〔妨碍计算机正常运行的〕垃圾信息

the sounds, voices etc that come from actors who are not on the stage at the time


noise

if news or information is noised abroad, people are talking about it

Rumours of an election are being noised abroad.

外界纷纷传言要举行选举。


noisy

[noisily](bold) adv. eg: He blew his nose noisily.

[comparative](italic) [noisier](bold) [superlative](italic) [noisiest](bold)

someone or something that is noisy makes a lot of noise

喧闹的；吵闹的；噪声大的


nominal

a very small sum of money, especially when compared with what something would usually cost or what it is worth

象征性的金额/收费/费用等

A nominal charge is made for use of the tennis courts.

使用这些网球场只是象征性地收取费用。

officially described as being something, when this is not really true

the [nominal head](bold) of the rebellion

Their conversion to Christianity was only nominal.

他们只是名义上皈依了基督教。

a nominal value etc does not show what something is really worth or really costs, because it does not take into account changes in the price of other goods and services

票面价值/名义价格/名义收入等

If prices rise and the [nominal wage](bold) remains constant, the real wage falls.

如果物价上涨而名义工资保持不变，实际工资等于下降。

the nominal use of the present participle


nominate

to officially suggest someone or something for an important position, duty, or prize

Ferraro was the first woman to be nominated for the job of vice president.

She has been nominated as Best Actress for her part in the film ‘Forever Together’.

I nominate John to represent us at the meeting.

我提议约翰代表我们去参加这次会议。

Next year Mr Jenks will retire and Mr Broadbent will be nominated as his replacement.

明年詹克斯先生退休，布罗德本特先生将获任命接替他的职位。

She was nominated to the legislative council.

她被任命为立法委员会委员。


nomination

ˌnɒməˈneɪʃən

The film got the nomination for Best Drama.

Do you think she has enough votes to win the nomination?

He is seeking the Republican nomination in the Senate race.

Lieberman accepted the nomination as the vice-presidential candidate.

After hostile questioning, he withdrew his nomination to be CIA director.

(=say that you think someone should be given a job or position)

The president makes the nominations of judges for the Supreme Court.

(=say that you think someone should not be given a job or position)

Senator Hatch said that he would oppose Lee's nomination to assistant attorney general.

(=agree that someone should be given a job or position)

The Senate unanimously approved her nomination.

(=a nomination for a particular job or position)

He was unsuccessful in his campaign for the presidential nomination in 2008.

the Republican/Democratic etc nomination

(=the nomination to be the candidate for a political party in an election)

Feinstein beat Van de Kamp for the Democratic mayoral nomination.

(=a nomination for a particular prize or award)

The novel has received a National Book Award nomination.

the act of officially suggesting someone or something for a position, duty, or prize, or the fact of being suggested for it

Who will get the Republican nomination for president?

谁会获得共和党总统候选人提名？

All the committee’s nominations were approved.

该委员会的所有提名均获得批准。

the name of a book, film, actor etc that has been suggested to receive an honour or prize

〔书、电影、演员等获奖的〕提名

The nominations for the Academy Awards were announced Tuesday.

星期二宣布了奥斯卡金像奖的提名。

the act of giving someone a particular job, or the fact of being given that job


→ [nonetheless](->nonetheless) [second to none](bold) at → [second](->second) 1 sense 5 [bar none](bold) at → [bar](->bar) 3 sense 2

Don’t use another negative word such as ‘not’ with [none](bold) . You say: We got 3 points and they got none.
Don’t say: [We got 3 points and they didn’t get none.](strike)

You can say [not ... any](bold)  instead of [none](bold) : We got 3 points and they did[n’t](bold) get [any](bold).

You use [none of ](bold)  before a plural noun or pronoun and a singular verb: None of us [is ](bold)able to escape the consequences of our actions.

In informal English, people often use a plural verb after [none of](bold) : None of us [care](bold) what happens to him.

You use [none ](bold)  to talk about a group of three or more things or people: None of my friends came.

You use [neither](bold)  to talk about two things or people: Neither of my parents wanted me to go.

not any amount of something or not one of a group of people or things

I wish I could offer you some cake but there’s none left.

我真想请你吃些蛋糕，但是一点儿也没剩下。

Although these were good students, none had a score above 60.

虽然这些都是好学生，但是没有一个考到60分以上。

她等着答复，可是什么也没等到。

有一辆旧车也比没有车强。

Despite her illness, she had lost none of her enthusiasm for life.

尽管身患疾病，但她对生活的热情丝毫未减。

I know what people are saying – but none of it is true.

我知道人们在说什么，但那都不是真的。

再也没有朋友给我打电话了。

‘Was there any mail?’ ‘No, none at all.’

“有没有信件？”“没，一封也没有。”

used to say that someone refuses to allow someone to do something or to behave in a particular way

坚决不允许某人（做）某事；不接受某人（做）某事

We offered to pay our half of the cost but Charles [would have none of it](bold).

我们提出我们那一半费用自己出，但是查尔斯坚决不答应。

only a particular person or type of person

只有某（种）人（才 …）

a task that none but a man of genius could accomplish

used to emphasize that the person involved in something is famous, impressive, or surprising

The mystery guest turned out to be none other than Cher herself.

神秘嘉宾原来就是雪儿她本人。


（某事）一点也没有变得更差/更好等

She seems none the worse for her experience.

这次经历好像对她没有什么不良影响。

not having any more understanding or knowledge about something than you had before

I was none the wiser after his explanation.

他解释过后我还是不明白。

I was none too pleased to have to take the exam again.

我要重考一次，根本高兴不起来。


nonetheless

[adv](bold) <[sentence adverb](bold)> [formal](special)

in spite of the fact that has just been mentioned

然而，但是；尽管如此，虽然如此

The region was extremely beautiful. Nonetheless Gerard could not imagine spending the rest of his life there.

那个地区非常漂亮，然而杰拉德却无法想象自己要在那里度过余生。

The paintings are complex, but have plenty of appeal nonetheless.

这些画复杂难懂，不过还是不乏吸引力。


non-fiction

books about real facts or events, not imagined ones

纪实文学，非小说类文学作品


nonsense

Most of what has been written on this subject is complete nonsense.

He said that the charges against him were absolute nonsense.

That's not true - he's talking nonsense!

Don’t tell me you believe all this nonsense about ghosts!

(=used to emphasize that something is not true)

That’s nonsense. I never said that at all.

What she told you was a load of nonsense. Mark doesn’t drink at all.

‘Don’t fill her head with a lot of nonsense,’ said her mother.

When asked what he thought of astrology, he replied, 'Stuff and nonsense!'

ideas, opinions, statements etc that are not true or that seem very stupid

荒谬的想法[看法]；胡说，废话

‘I’m a prisoner in my own home.’ ‘Nonsense!’

“我在自己家里就像个囚犯。”“胡说！”

‘Nobody cares about me.’ ‘That’s absolute nonsense, Mary!’

“没人关心我。”“玛丽，你这完全是胡扯！”

If you ask me, these modern teaching methods are [a load of nonsense](bold)(=a lot of nonsense).

要我说，这些现代教学方法全是一派胡言。

He was [talking](bold) utter [nonsense](bold) as usual.

他像平常一样又在胡说八道了。

The government’s housing policy is a nonsense.

By 1832 the idea had become an economic nonsense.

到了1832年，那种观点已经成为经济学的谬论。

It is nonsense to say that mistakes are never made.

从来不犯错误这种说法真荒唐。

You’re to [stop](bold) that [nonsense](bold), do you hear me?

你不能再那样胡闹了，听见没有？

[not stand/put up with/take any nonsense](bold)(=not accept such behaviour)

She won’t stand any nonsense from the kids in her class.

她不允许孩子们在她的课上胡闹。

speech or writing that has no meaning or cannot be understood

Computer programs look like complete nonsense to me.

对我来说，计算机程序就好像是天书，不知所云。

to make an action, system, or plan useless or ineffective

使某事物失去作用[意义]

Having the army still in power makes a nonsense of last year’s elections.

军队继续掌权使得去年的选举失去了意义。

poetry that is humorous because it does not have a sensible meaning


nonstop

ˌnɑːnˈstɑːp◂

[nonstop](bold) adv. eg: She talked nonstop for over an hour.

[adj](bold) <[usually before noun](bold)>


noon

[morning, noon, and night](bold) at → [morning](->morning) 1 sense 5


no one

Don’t use another negative word such as ‘not’ or ‘nothing’ after [no one](bold) . You say: No one did anything to help.
Don’t say: [No one did nothing to help.](strike)

Don’t use ‘of’ after [no one](bold) .
Don’t say: [no one of us](strike) [no one of his parents ](strike)

You use [none of](bold)  when talking about a group of three or more people: None of us saw him.

You use [neither of](bold)  when talking about two people: Neither of his parents went to the wedding.

There’s no one else I really want to invite apart from you.

除你之外，我不太想再邀请其他人。

没人打电话问那辆车的事吗？

谁也不能说我没有警告过你。


nor

used when mentioning two things that are not true or do not happen

He can neither read nor write(=he cannot read or write).

Hilary was neither shocked nor surprised by the news.

希拉里对这个消息既没有感到震惊，也没有觉得意外。

马特和朱莉都没有说什么。

used after a negative statement in order to introduce another negative statement containing a similar kind of information

也不〔用于否定句之后，引导另一含相似意义的否定句〕

I don’t expect children to be rude, nor do I expect to be disobeyed.

我不希望孩子们没礼貌，也不希望他们不听我的话。

那不是我的错，也不是他的错。

used after a negative statement to say that the negative statement is also true for someone or something else

“我不想去。”“我也不想去。”

They couldn’t understand it at the time, and nor could we.

他们当时无法理解，我们也是。


norm

the usual or normal situation, way of doing something etc

Short term contracts are now the norm with some big companies.

签订短期合同是目前一些大公司的惯常做法。

Joyce’s style of writing was a striking departure from [the](bold) literary [norm](bold).

乔伊斯的写作风格与传统的文学风格大相径庭。

generally accepted standards of social behaviour

terrorists who violate the norms of civilized society

违反文明社会准则的恐怖分子

有28%的儿童化验结果低于正常水平。


normal

usual, typical, and as you would expect it to be

Is this cold weather normal for the time of year?

It had been another normal working day in the office.

not special, unusual, or different from normal

They lived in an ordinary three-bedroomed house.

It looks like an ordinary car, but it uses solar power.

Would you like a regular salad or a Caesar salad?

I just want an ordinary bicycle, not a mountain bike.

The average price of a pint of milk has gone up.

normal – used about methods of doing something, or about the size, shape, features etc of products

It’s standard practice to X-ray hand-baggage at most airports.

We stock shoes in all the standard sizes.

used about things that are done regularly as part of a series of things

The fault was discovered during a routine check of the plane.

routine tasks such as shopping and cooking

used about things that happen or that you use as part of normal life

He painted scenes of everyday life in France.

Sally was still dressed in her everyday clothes.

used about birds and plants that are of the most usual type, and in the phrase [the common people](bold)people who are not rich and powerful

an alliance between the aristocracy and the common people

of the kind that is usually used – used when comparing this with a different or special type

The engine is more efficient than a conventional diesel engine.

conventional weaponsnot nuclear, chemical, or biological

The test results came back, and everything was completely normal.

Her reaction to the news was perfectly normal.

All I want is to lead a happy, normal life.

(=used to emphasize that something happens very regularly)

Under normal circumstances, you would have to pay to go into the exhibition.

The results will be posted to you in the normal way.

正常的；平常的；意料之中的

一个正常的工作周是40小时。

It’s normal to feel nervous before an exam.

考试之前觉得紧张是正常的。

Her room was untidy, but that was quite normal.

她的房间很乱，不过那也很正常。

She was assessed [in the normal way](bold), and placed on the waiting list.

她接受了正常的评估后被列入等候名单。

All I want is to lead a [normal life](bold).

我想要的只是能过正常的生活。

someone who is normal is mentally and physically healthy and does not behave strangely

〔精神及身体状况〕正常的

He seems a [perfectly normal](bold) little boy.

他看起来是个完全正常的小男孩。

They can’t be normal to do something like that.

做出那样的事，他们一定心理不正常。


normal

Thankfully, train services are now [back to normal](bold).

谢天谢地，火车服务现在恢复正常了。

Slowly her heartbeat [returned to normal](bold).

Car sales are still below normal for the time of year.

这个时期的汽车销量仍然低于正常水平。

[higher/larger/less etc than normal](bold)

这次旅途超过了平常所需的时间。


normality

AmE also: [nor‧mal‧cy](bold) /ˈnɔːməlsi
        ˈnɔːr-/  [n](bold) <[U](bold)>

a situation in which things happen in the usual or expected way

We’re hoping for a [return to normality](bold) as soon as possible.

We’ll soon get back to [some semblance of normality](bold).

我们会很快恢复到稍微正常一些的状态。


normally

The journey normally takes about two hours.

这段旅程通常需要大约两小时。

通常我把车停在剧院后面。

The system seems to be working normally now.

目前该系统似乎运行正常。


north

North  [n](bold) <[singular, U](bold)> written abbreviation: N

the direction that is at the top of a map of the world, above the Equator. It is on the left if you are facing the rising sun

Cheshunt is a few miles to the north of London.

切森特位于伦敦以北几英里。

〔一国或地区的〕北方，北部

There's a chance of snow showers in the north.


north

North  [adj](bold) <[only before noun](bold)> written abbreviation: N

The north side of the building doesn’t get much sun.

大楼的北面很少晒到太阳。


north

Chicago is four hours north of Indianapolis.

芝加哥位于印第安纳波利斯以北，有四小时路程。

往〔国家的〕北部；在〔国家的〕北部


northeast

[northeast](bold) adv. eg: He headed northeast across the open sea.

Northeast  [n](bold) <[U](bold)> written abbreviation: NE

the direction that is exactly between north and east


northeast

Northeast  [adj](bold) written abbreviation: NE

a northeast wind comes from the northeast


northern

Northern  [adj](bold) written abbreviation: N

in or from the north of a country or area


northwest

[northwest](bold) adv. eg: She rode northwest toward Boulder.

Northwest  [n](bold) <[U](bold)> written abbreviation: NW

the direction that is exactly between north and west


northwest

Northwest  [adj](bold) written abbreviation: NW

a northwest wind comes from the northwest


nose

→ [hard-nosed](->hard-nosed) → [brown-nose](->brown-nose) [cut off your nose to spite your face](bold) at → [cut ](->cut ) sense 10 → [nose job](->nose job) [lead sb by the nose](bold) at → [lead](->lead) 1 sense 16 [look down your nose at sb/sth](bold) at → [look](->look) 1 sense 8 [pay through the nose](bold) at → [pay](->pay) 1 sense 16 [as plain as the nose on your face](bold) at → [plain](->plain) 1 sense 1 [poke your nose into sth](bold) at → [poke](->poke) 1 sense 7 [powder your nose](bold) at → [powder](->powder) 2 sense 2 [rub sb’s nose in it/in the dirt](bold) at → [rub](->rub) 1 sense 9 [thumb your nose at sb/sth](bold) at → [thumb](->thumb) 2 sense 2

See that guy over there, the one with the big nose?

She had high cheekbones and a small nose.

Her nose was long, straight and elegant.

A runny nose may be the result of an allergic reaction.

(=with unpleasant thick liquid coming out)

a group of dirty children with snotty noses

My nose is really blocked and I can't smell anything.

(=because you are cold or drunk, or have a cold)

He had a thin face with an aquiline nose.

(=one that is not straight because the bone has been broken by a hit or fall)

(=clear your nose by blowing strongly into a piece of soft paper or cloth)

She blew her nose on a large white handkerchief.

(=remove substances from inside your nose with your finger)

(=move the muscles near your nose when you do not like something)

Susan looked at the meal and wrinkled her nose.

The smell was so revolting that I had to hold my nose.

Close your eyes and breathe through your nose.

She was crying hard and her nose was running.

Sam pushed his glasses up on the bridge of his nose.

the part of a person’s or animal’s face used for smelling or breathing

有人一拳打在他的鼻子上。

if something bad or illegal happens under someone’s nose, they do not notice it even though it is happening very close to them and they should have noticed it

（就）在某人眼皮底下，（就）当着某人的面

The drugs were smuggled in right under the noses of the security guards.

毒品就在安保人员的眼皮底下走私进来。

if something is right under someone’s nose, they cannot see it even though it is very close to them

（就）在某人眼前〔却看不见〕

The key was right under my nose all the time.

原来钥匙一直就在我面前。

to become involved in something that does not concern you, in a way that annoys people

多管闲事；插手与己无关的事

She always has to stick her nose into matters that do not concern her.

她总是非要插手和自己无关的事情。

to avoid becoming involved in something that does not concern you

I wish he’d keep his nose out of my business!

我希望他别来过问我的事！

to refuse to accept something because you do not think it is good enough for you

瞧不起（某事物），（对某事物）嗤之以鼻

My children turn their noses up at home cooking.

我的孩子都看不上家里做的饭菜。

behaving as if you are more important than other people and not talking to them

She just walked past with her nose in the air.

to be naturally good at finding and recognizing something

天生擅长寻找[识别]某事物

I wish he wouldn’t keep interrupting. It really gets up my nose.

我希望他不要一直打断我，那样真让我恼火。

to make sure you do not get into trouble, or do anything wrong or illegal

遵纪守法；行为检点；不卷入是非

Sid’s got to keep his nose clean or he’ll end up back in prison.

锡德必须检点一些，否则还得回去坐牢。

He gets up at 6 a.m. on the nose every morning.

他每天早上6点准时起床。

to work very hard, without stopping to rest

努力工作，一刻不停地苦干

Jim had decided he was going to keep his nose to the grindstone.

have your nose in a book/magazine/newspaper

to be reading a book etc, especially with a lot of interest

专心致志地看书/杂志/报纸

if a horse wins a race by a nose, it only just wins

〔赛马〕以微弱优势〔获胜〕

to look around a place in order to try to find something, when there is no one else there

〔当某处无其他人时〕四处观看；四处寻找

to annoy someone, especially by attracting everyone’s attention away from them

〔尤指通过抢某人风头〕使某人气歪鼻子，使某人眼红

His nose has been put a bit out of joint ever since Marion got here.

自从玛丽昂来这儿以后，他被冷落得鼻子都快气歪了。

cars, buses etc that are nose to tail are in a line without much space between them

Traffic was nose to tail for three miles.

车辆首尾相接堵了三英里长。

the pointed front end of a plane,rocket etc

〔飞机、火箭等的〕头部，前锥体


nose

if a vehicle, boat etc noses forward, or if you nose it forward, it moves forward slowly

〔车辆、船只等〕缓慢地前行；将〔车辆、船只等〕缓慢地向前开

那辆公共汽车沿街道缓缓前行。

She carefully nosed the car forward through the traffic.

她小心地在车流中将车慢慢向前开。