arrow

a weapon usually made from a thin straight piece of wood with a sharp point at one end, that you shoot with a bow

a sign in the shape of an arrow, used to show direction

〔指示方向的〕箭号，箭头（符号）

Follow the arrows to the X-ray department.

顺着箭头指示的方向去X光科。


art

You use [art](bold)  when talking in general about paintings, drawings etc: She believes that art should be beautiful.
Don’t say: [She believes that the art should be beautiful.](strike)

You use [art ](bold) when talking about a particular type of art: He is fond of modern art.
Don’t say: [He is fond of the modern art.](strike)

You use [the art of ](bold) when talking about the paintings, drawings etc that were produced in a particular place, or at a particular time: There is an exhibition of the art of nineteenth-century Italy.

You also often use [the art of ](bold)  when talking about the skill of doing something: He is an expert in the art of lying.

art from the late 19th century until now

Velasquez was one of the greatest figures in the history of Western art.

art, especially painting, which is made to be beautiful or affect your emotions, rather than to be useful

paintings or images that consist of shapes or lines which do not look like people, places, or objects

it’s almost impossible for any artist not to be influenced by Picasso’s abstract art.

art that shows pictures of people, places, or objects

In this country, we always feel more comfortable with figurative art.

a type of modern art, which shows ideas about the world

In conceptual art, the idea behind the work of art holds as much importance as the artwork itself.

the use of artistic principles in the design of objects and images for people to use. This includes subjects such as fashion, jewellery design, architecture, and photography

Van de Velde taught at the new school of applied art.

art by people who live in societies where there is a very simple way of life and no modern technology or industry

The interest in primitive art came about largely through the work of Gauguin.

art that shows ordinary objects that you find in people’s homes, which was made popular in the 1960s by artists such as Andy Warhol

The relationship of advertising to art was part of the pop art phenomenon in the 1960s.

painting, sculpture, and other art forms that you look at, not literature or music

The approach to the visual arts has changed in the last two decades.

the design and production of beautiful things for the home, such as furniture, pottery, and cloth

The exhibition will also cover the decorative arts.

dance, music, or drama, done to entertain people

San Diego’s School for the Creative and Performing Arts

art that involves producing objects such as sculptures or pots

the decline of the plastic arts in the fifth century

a type of art that can combine acting, dance, and other actions to express an idea

It will be a mixture of live performance art, music and poetry in an informal club setting.

the use of painting, drawing,sculpture etc to represent things or express ideas

objects that are produced by art, such as paintings, drawings etc

The exhibition features[ works of art](bold) by Picasso and Matisse.

这次展览专题展出毕加索和马蒂斯的艺术作品。

art, music, theatre, film, literature etc all considered together

艺术〔指美术、音乐、戏剧、电影、文学等的总称〕

Government funding for the arts has been reduced.

政府在艺术上投入的资金减少了。

subjects you can study that are not scientific, for example history, languages etc

the ability or skill involved in doing or making something

Television is ruining the art of conversation.

Writing advertisements [is quite an art](bold)(=it is difficult to do).

[have/get sth down to a fine art](bold)(=do something very well)

I’ve got the early morning routine down to a fine art.

我把一大早必干的事完成得很利落。


artefact

([especially BrE](special)) also: artifact ([especially AmE](bold))  [n](bold) <[C](bold)>

an object such as a tool, weapon etc that was made in the past and is historically important

人工制品，手工艺品〔有史学价值的武器、工具等〕


article

a piece of writing in a newspaper or magazine about a particular subject

Greg began his career writing articles for the college magazine.

an article in a newspaper about a recent event, especially one that a lot of people find interesting or exciting

I read a newspaper story about the crash.

The local paper ran a story published a story about the festival.

a short article in a newspaper or magazine

I’ve written a couple of pieces for the New York Times magazine.

The piece was first published in the Observer.

a special article about a particular subject, often with photographs and continuing for several pages

The paper did a big feature on growing your own food.

an article in a newspaper or magazine about a book, play, product, hotel etc, giving someone’s opinion of it

The play had rave reviews people liked it a lot - an informal use.

Did you see the review of the new Coldplay album?

an article by a particular writer that appears regularly in a newspaper or magazine

She writes a newspaper column on gardening.

a piece of writing in a newspaper that gives the personal opinion of the editor about something that is in the news

Several years ago the New York Times published an editorial stating that the appropriate minimum wage is $0.00.

an article that has been cut from a newspaper or magazine

His mother has kept all his old press cuttings.

He writes newspaper articles in the Guardian.

The couple talked frankly about their joy at having a new baby in a magazine article published yesterday.

I wrote a few feature articles on sporting events.

There was an interesting article on Russia in the paper today.

Look at this leading article from Newsweek’s business section.

The protest followed a front-page article in the Herald three weeks ago.

Each issue contains in-depth articles and photographs.

The Times have asked me if I will do an article on the election.

It was good to see such an intelligent article on censorship.

The magazine carried an article on the dangers of being overweight.

an article appears in a newspaper/magazine

A couple of articles appeared in local papers, but nothing else.

a piece of writing about a particular subject in a newspaper or magazine

The paper’s [leading article](bold)(=the main article) described the government as weak.

a thing, especially one of a group of things

物品，物件〔尤指整套中的一件〕

She only took a few [articles of clothing](bold) with her.

a part of a law or legal agreement that deals with a particular point

Article 1 of the constitution guarantees freedom of religion.

a word used before a noun to show whether the noun refers to a particular example of something or to a general example of something. In English, ‘the’ is called the definite article and ‘a’ and ‘an’ are called the indefinite article.

an agreement by which someone finishes their training, especially as a lawyer, by working for a company

〔尤指律师的〕见习契约；师徒合约

something that you feel very strongly about so that it affects how you think or behave


articulate

ɑːˈtɪkjəleɪt

to express your ideas or feelings in words

Many people are unable to articulate the unhappiness they feel.

许多人都表达不出内心的痛苦。

to pronounce what you are saying in a clear and careful way

口齿清楚地讲（话）；清晰发（音）

He was so drunk that he could barely articulate his words.

if something such as a bone in your body is articulated to another thing, it is joined to it in a way that allows movement

if one idea, system etc articulates with another idea, system etc, the two things are related and exist together

a new course that is designed to articulate with the current degree course

旨在与现有学位课程接轨的新课程


articulate

able to talk easily and effectively about things, especially difficult subjects

writing or speech that is articulate is very clear and easy to understand even if the subject is difficult

〔文章、讲话〕明晰的，清楚的


artificial

ˌɑːtɪˈfɪʃəl◂

[artificially](bold) adv. eg: Food prices are being kept artificially low.

[artificiality](bold) /ˌɑːtəfɪʃiˈæləti/ US /ˌɑːr-/  n. <U>

not real or natural, but made to look or work like something real or natural

made using chemical processes rather than by natural processes

made by people – used especially about geographical features and materials

made to look or seem like something else, especially in order to deceive people

made to look like something, but not real – used especially about guns, jewellery, and leather

artificial – used especially about teeth, , and

not real, but made to look, sound, or feel real, especially by means of special computers or machines

made, done, seen etc on a computer, rather than in the real world

Energy is being wasted by using artificial lighting when daylight is adequate.

(=used to make food or drink taste sweeter)

Diet drinks contain artificial sweeteners like saccharin.

I try to buy food that is free from artificial colours.

Ice cream often has artificial flavours in it.

(=used to give food more colour or taste)

Artificial additives such as colourings, sweeteners and flavour enhancers aren’t permitted in baby foods.

This jam has no artificial preservatives.

a vase of stiff-looking artificial flowers

Animals hate being confined in an artificial environment.

Some ski resorts use huge amounts of artificial snow.

The club is building a new artificial training pitch at its sports ground.

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

not real or not made of natural things but made to be like something that is real or natural

an artificial situation or quality exists because someone has made it exist, and not because it is really necessary

artificial behaviour is not sincere – used to show disapproval

〔行为〕虚假的，不真挚的，矫揉造作的〔含贬义〕


artist

someone who produces art, especially paintings or drawings

an exhibition of paintings by 50 contemporary artists

a wildlife artist who specializes in drawing birds

Sisley was principally a landscape painter.

someone who takes photographs, as an art or as a job

Cartier-Bresson was one of the greatest photographers of all time.

someone who makes pots or other objects from clay

In Spain, local potters produce ceramics with beautiful brightly-coloured designs.

someone who makes a work of art that is made from stone, metal, or wood

The museum has several pieces by the great English sculptor, Sir Henry Moore.

someone who uses acting, dance and other actions to create art that expresses an idea

a one-man show by the French performance artist, Orlan

an exhibition of paintings by local artists

[make-up artist](bold) at → [make-up](->make-up) sense 1

a professional performer, especially a singer, dancer, or actor

Many of the artists in the show donated their fee to charity.

参加演出的许多艺人将出场费捐给了慈善事业。

someone who is extremely good at something


artistic

Opinion about the artistic merit of his paintings has been mixed.

对于他的绘画作品的艺术价值，人们褒贬不一。

good at painting, drawing, or producing beautiful things

艺术精湛的，有艺术才华的

an artistic arrangement, design etc looks attractive and has been done with skill and imagination


artwork

drawings and photographs that are specially prepared to be in a book, magazine, or advertisement

paintings and other objects produced by artists


as

[such as](bold) at → [such](->such) sense 2 [as one](bold) at → [one](->one) 2 sense 15

Use [as](bold)  in comparisons in the expression [as ... as](bold) , with an adjective or adverb in between:

Basketball is as popular as football here.

[As](bold)  is also used after [be the same (age/size etc)](bold) :

Do not use [as](bold)  on its own before a noun or pronoun in comparisons. Use [like](bold) :

Like other people, he values his privacy.

Don't say: [A movie is not as a book.](strike)  [As other people, he values his privacy.](strike)

Use [as if/as though](bold)  before a clause describing an imaginary situation:

He talked to them as if they were children.

Some people also use [like](bold)  in this way, although this is often considered to be incorrect: They act like they own the place.

Do not use [as if/as though](bold)  directly before a noun. You say:

You treat him as if he were your servant.

Don't say: [You treat him as if your servant.](strike)

used when you are comparing two people, things, situations etc

汤姆年纪没有你大，是吗？

Some of the doctors are paid almost twice as much as the nurses.

有些医生的薪水几乎是护士的两倍。

We work as hard as any other team in England.

我们同其他英格兰球队一样努力。

Please let me know your decision [as soon as possible](bold)(=as soon as you can).

His last album sold half a million copies and we hope this one will be [just as](bold)(=equally) popular.

他上一张专辑售出50万张，我们希望这张同样畅销。

used to say what job, duty, use, or appearance someone or something has

As a parent, I feel that more should be done to protect our children.

身为家长，我觉得应采取更多措施来保护我们的孩子。

一块扁平的石头被用作桌子。

used to say what someone thinks or says a person or thing is

The result of last week’s election will be seen as a victory for the right-wing government.

上周选举的结果将被视为右翼政府的胜利。

He’s described as being in his late teens, tall, and of slim build.

据描述，他十八九岁的样子，瘦高个儿。

when someone was in a particular age group

As a young man, Eliot had studied art in Paris.

年轻时，艾略特在巴黎学画画。

I’ll take you to all the places I loved as a girl.

我会带你去我还是小姑娘时爱去的每一个地方。


as

[not as such](bold) at → [such](->such) sense 8 [as well](bold) at → [well](->well) 1 sense 5 [as well as](bold) at → [well](->well) 1 sense 6 [might (just) as well](bold) at → [might](->might) 1 sense 9 [so as to do sth](bold) at → [so](->so) 2 sense 3

他们同我们一样渴望和平。

Helen comes to visit me as often as she can.

in the way that someone says or that something happens, or in the condition something is in

We’d better leave things as they are until the police arrive.

在警察到来以前，我们最好什么也别动。

He did not need to keep moving house, as his father had.

他不用像他父亲那样不停地搬家了。

Roberta was late [as usual](bold)(=in the way that she usually was).

罗伯塔和往常一样迟到了。

used to say that what you are saying is already known or has been stated before

正如〔用于所说的话已为人所知或已经说过〕

David, as you know, has not been well lately.

你知道的，戴维近来身体不大好。

As I explained on the phone, your request will be considered at the next meeting.

正如我在电话里解释的那样，下次开会将考虑你的请求。

As Napoleon once said, attack is the best method of defence.

拿破仑曾经说过，进攻是最好的防御。

I saw Peter as I was getting off the bus.

我下公共汽车的时候看见了彼得。

As time passed, things seemed to get worse.

随着时间的推移，情况似乎变得更加糟糕了。

Just as the two men were leaving, a message arrived.

那两个男子刚要离开，消息就传来了。

used to state why a particular situation exists or why someone does something

→see THESAURUS at [because](->because) 1

As it was getting late, I turned around to start for home.

天色渐晚，于是我掉头回家。

We asked Philip to come with us, as he knew the road.

我们叫菲利浦一起去，因为他认识路。

Unlikely as it might seem, I’m tired too.

虽然看起来不像，但其实我也累了。

Try as she might, Sue couldn’t get the door open.

无论休怎样努力，她就是打不开门。

As popular as he is, the president hasn’t always managed to have his own way.

尽管总统很受拥戴，但也并非总能随心所欲。

used when you are starting to talk about someone or something new that is connected with what you were talking about before

至于某人/某物，就某人/某物而言

Kitty’s got so thin. And as for Carl, he always seems to be ill.

姬蒂变得很瘦，至于卡尔，他似乎一直病恹恹的。

You can ask the others, but as for myself, I’ll be busy in the office.

你可以去问问别人，至于我嘛，就会在办公室里忙活着。

until and including the present time – used to say that something has not happened although it may happen in the future

我们到现在为止也没得到来自科林的任何消息。

in a way that makes it seem that something is true or that something is happening

It sounds as though she’s been really ill.

Gary was behaving as though nothing had happened.

加里表现得好像什么也没发生过。

Mrs Crump looked as if she was going to explode.

克伦普太太看起来好像要大发雷霆。

Beckworth shook his head as if to say ‘Don’t trust her’.

贝克沃思摇摇头，好像在说“别相信她”。

used to emphasize that something is not true or will not happen

仿佛，好像〔用于强调某事不是真的或不会发生〕

She said she’d never speak to me again. As if I cared (=I do not care at all).

她说她再也不跟我说话了，好像我会在乎似的。

‘Don’t try any funny business, now.’ ‘As if I would.’

“好了，别耍什么花样。”“我才不会呢。”

[As if!](bold) [spoken](special) [informal](special)

He asked if I’d go out with him. As if(=it is extremely unlikely that I would go out with him)!

他问我是否愿意跟他出去，我才不愿意呢！

used to say that something cannot be the explanation for a situation or someone’s behaviour because it is not true

其实并不〔用于解释原因〕

Why do they never go on holiday? I mean it’s not as if they’re poor, is it?

他们为什么从不去度假呢？我的意思是他们并不穷，对吗？

I don’t know why you’re so frightened of her - it’s not as if she’s got any power over you.

我不明白你为什么这样怕她，她又无权管你。

because of the situation that actually exists – used when that situation is different from what you expected or needed

They hoped to finish the kitchen by Friday, but as it is they’ll probably have to come back next week.

他们希望星期五厨房完工，但事实上，他们很可能下周还得来。

Just keep quiet – you’re in enough trouble as it is.

安静点，你的麻烦已经够多了。

starting from a particular time or date and continuing

As from today, you are in charge of the office.

从今天起，你来负责这个办公室。

As of now, there will be no more paid overtime.

Profits this year are $2.5 million as against $4 million last year.

今年的利润是250万美元，而去年的利润是400万美元。

Frank was very uncertain as to whether it was the right job for him.

弗兰克实在拿不准这工作是不是适合他。

advice as to which suppliers to approach

有关与哪些供应商接洽的建议

He kept his rivals guessing as to his real intentions.

他一直让对手捉摸不透他的真实意图。

used when you are starting to talk about something new that is connected with what you were talking about before

As to our future plans, I think I need only say that the company intends to expand at a steady rate.

至于我们未来的计划，我想我只需要说，公司打算稳步扩展。

used when describing someone or something in a way that is not quite exact

Jim Radcliffe became our idol, as it were, the man we all wanted to be.

吉姆·拉德克利夫可以说成了我们的偶像，我们都想变成他那样的人。

used to add that what you have said is also true of someone or something else

伊芙个子很高，她母亲也这样。

我投了工党的票，我妻子也是。

in the way that people usually do something or how they normally behave – often used humorously by people after they have mentioned doing something strange or unusual

就像大家一样〔幽默用法，常指不寻常之事〕

We talked, exchanged email addresses and phone numbers, as you do on planes.

我们聊天，交换了电子邮件地址和电话号码，在飞机上大家都这样。

I was driving a Ferrari through town yesterday – as you do – when I saw an old school friend outside the cinema.

昨天我像大家一样开着法拉利穿过商业区，在影院外看见了一位老同学。


ascend

to climb something or move to a higher position

Without a word, he began to ascend the stairs.

他没说一句话就上楼梯了。

[Ascend](bold)  is used mostly in literary or technical contexts. In everyday English, people usually say [climb](bold)  or [go up](bold) :

We started to [climb](bold) the mountain.

The road ascends steeply from the harbour.

这条路从港湾那里陡直而上。

to move to a more important or powerful job

（使）〔职位〕上升，晋升

The number of women decreases as you ascend the professional hierarchy.

if a group of things are arranged in ascending order, each thing is higher, or greater in amount, than the one before it


ascertain

[Ascertain](bold)  is used mainly in formal or technical contexts. In everyday English, people usually say [find out](bold) :

We need to [find out](bold) exactly what happened before we jump to any conclusions.

A postmortem was ordered to try to ascertain the cause of death.

Tests were conducted to ascertain whether pollution levels have dropped.

进行了检测以确定污染程度是否已经下降。

Police had ascertained that the dead man knew his killer.

You should ascertain the level of insurance cover from the car rental company.

你应该向汽车租赁公司打听清楚保险的范围。


ash

the soft grey powder that remains after something has been burned

the ash that remains when a dead person’s body is burned

His [ashes were scattered](bold) at sea.

a situation in which something is completely destroyed

废墟，灰烬〔指完全被毁的局面〕

The organization has [risen from the ashes](bold) to become very successful.

该机构浴火重生，现在已经非常成功。

All her hopes and dreams had [turned to ashes](bold).

她所有的希望和梦想都化为了泡影。

a tree that is common in Britain and North America, or the wood from this tree


ashamed

You feel [ashamed of ](bold) something or someone: She was ashamed of her behaviour. You should be ashamed of yourself!

You feel [embarrassed by ](bold) something or someone: I was embarrassed by the fact that I knew nothing about cars. Minna felt embarrassed by her parents.

You feel [embarrassed about ](bold) something: He was clearly embarrassed about what had happened.

feeling very sorry and embarrassed because of something you have done, or someone connected with you has done

She felt deeply ashamed of her son’s behaviour.

very ashamed and upset, because someone has made you look weak or stupid, especially in front of other people

I came out of the class feeling humiliated.

extremely ashamed and embarrassed, especially about something you have done accidentally

She’ll be mortified when she realizes her mistake.

showing by the expression on your face that you are ashamed about something

Paul came into my office looking shamefaced and apologized for what he had done.

to feel worried and unhappy because you know that you have done something wrong. [Feel bad ](bold) is more informal than [feel guilty](bold)

He felt guilty about lying to his parents.

to lose people’s respect for you, especially by doing something that makes you look weak or stupid in front of other people

He feels he’ll lose face if he admits to his staff that he was wrong.

〔因自己所做的事而〕羞耻的，内疚的，惭愧的

I felt ashamed of the things I’d said to him.

我为自己对他所说的话感到羞愧。

I’m ashamed to admit that I’ve never read any of his books.

我真不好意思承认，我从来没读过他的书。

She felt ashamed that she had missed her sister’s wedding.

她没能参加姐姐的婚礼，觉得很内疚。

Alan was deeply ashamed when he remembered what he’d said.

艾伦想起自己说过的话就羞愧不已。

Everyone cries sometimes – it’s [nothing to be ashamed of](bold).

每个人都会有哭的时候——没什么好难为情的。

feeling uncomfortable because someone does something that embarrasses you

〔因别人所做的事而〕感到不好意思的，难为情的

Many children feel ashamed of their parents.

许多孩子会因为自己的父母感到惭愧。

Their behaviour makes me ashamed to be British.

他们的行为使我身为英国人感到汗颜。


aside

I’ve been [setting aside](bold) a few pounds each week.

One of the rooms was [set aside](bold) for a yoga class.

其中一个房间被留出来上瑜伽课。

Try to [set aside](bold) a few hours a week for exercise.

一星期尽量腾出几小时来锻炼。

Could you [put](bold) this cake [aside](bold) for me?

He [pushed](bold) his half-eaten salad [aside](bold) and left.

他推开吃了一半的沙拉走了。

He [stepped aside](bold) to let Katherine go in first.

他站到一边让凯瑟琳先进去。

Mark [drew](bold) me [aside](bold) and explained the problem.

马克把我拉到一边给我解释这个问题。

她把浓密的头发梳到一边。

left to be considered or dealt with later, or not considered and dealt with at all

He [brushed aside](bold) criticisms of his performance.

他不理会对他表演的批评。

[Leaving aside](bold) the heat, we really enjoyed our holiday.

除去炎热之外，我们假期玩得很愉快。

You must [put aside](bold) your pride and call her.

你必须放下自尊打电话给她。

used to show that something you have just said is not as important as what you are going to say next

These problems aside, we think the plan should go ahead.

这些问题暂不说，我们认为应该实施这个计划。

Aside from Durang’s performance, the actors are ordinary.

除了迪朗外，其他演员的表现都很一般。

除了某人/某物以外（还有 …）

In the poetry competition, aside from Hass, are four other entrants.

诗歌比赛除了哈斯外，还有四名参赛者。


aside

words spoken by an actor to the people watching a play, that the other characters in the play do not hear

a remark made in a low voice that you only intend particular people to hear

→see THESAURUS at [comment](->comment) 1

a remark or story that is not part of the main subject of a speech

I should add, as an aside, that the younger the child, the faster they learn.

我得加一句题外话，孩子越小，学得越快。


ask

You [ask](bold)  someone something: They asked me some difficult questions at the interview.
Don’t say: [ask to someone](strike)

You [ ask](bold)  someone [to do](bold)  something: I asked him to open the window.

You [ask](bold)  someone [if](bold)  or [whether](bold)  something is true: Ask them if they want anything to drink.

When you report what someone [asked](bold) , use a verb in the past tense: She asked if I [wanted](bold) to go.
Don’t say: [She asked if I want to go.](strike)

to speak or write to someone to get an answer

to ask someone for information about something

I’m writing to inquire about the job that was advertised in yesterday’s ‘Times’.

to ask a question in a firm or angry way

‘Why didn’t you call me?’, she demanded.

to ask someone questions, to find out if they are suitable for a job, or as part of a television or radio interview

When they interviewed me for the job, they didn’t mention the salary.

David Letterman has interviewed all the stars.

to officially ask a lot of people in order to find out their opinion on something

Over 1,000 people were polled for the report.

64% of the people we polled said that they approved of the way the government had handled the crisis.

to ask someone a lot of questions in order to get information about a crime

He was arrested and questioned by the police.

Detectives are interviewing the father of the missing girl.

to ask someone a lot of detailed questions, often in an aggressive way

The men were interrogated by the US authorities for over six hours.

to ask someone questions in court about the statements they made

A second lawyer began to cross-examine the witness.

sb is helping the police with their inquiries

used in news reports when saying that the police are asking someone questions about a crime – especially when they think this person is guilty, but have not yet charged them

He is helping the police with their inquiries in connection with the murder of Diane Jones.

to tell someone you want them to give you something

to ask for food or drink in a restaurant

to ask for something in a firm way, insisting that someone gives you what you ask for

If the goods are faulty, you can demand a refund.

I enclose the information you requested.

to ask for something in an urgent way, because you want it very much and will be very unhappy if you do not get it

to keep asking someone for something, in an annoying way

People were pestering him for his autograph.

You can call this number to ask for assistance.

If you are in any doubt, ask for advice.

I wrote asking for information about language classes.

(=instructions how to get from one place to another)

At the station he asked for directions to the museum.

Please ask for details of the full range of tickets available.

Dad always liked being asked for his opinion.

Labour councillors asked for our support for the proposal.

The two men entered without bothering to ask for permission.

When he asked for an explanation, no one could give him an answer.

to speak or write to someone in order to get an answer, information, or a solution

“你叫什么名字？”她问道。

That kid’s always [asking](bold) awkward [questions](bold).

那孩子总是问一些尴尬的问题。

We’ll have to ask someone the way to the station.

我们得跟人打听一下去车站怎么走。

Go and ask Tom whether he’s coming tonight.

Visitors usually ask about the history of the castle.

游客常常问起这座城堡的历史。

ask around (=ask in a lot of places or ask a lot of people)

I’ll ask around, see if I can find you a place to stay.

我去问问，看是否能给你找个地方住。

to make a request for help, advice, information etc

If you need anything, you only have to ask.

你需要什么，只管提出来就行。

Ask John to mail those letters tomorrow.

请约翰明天把那些信寄出去。

Some people find it difficult to ask for help.

有些人觉得很难开口叫别人帮忙。

He repeatedly asked Bailey for the report.

问问你妈让不让你跟我们一起去。

Was it too much to ask that he be allowed some privacy?

给他一些私人空间，这个要求过分了吗？

to want a particular amount of money for something you are selling

他的车要价2,000英镑。

They’re asking a fortune for that house.

to invite someone to your home, to go out with you etc

Let’s ask them to have dinner with us some time.

哪天我们请他们一起吃晚餐。

ask sb out (=ask someone, especially someone of the opposite sex, to go to a film, a restaurant etc with you)

ask sb in (=invite someone into your house, office etc)

Don’t leave them standing on the doorstep – ask them in!

别让他们在门口站着——请他们进来！

ask sb over/round (=invite someone to come to your home)

We must ask our new neighbours over for a drink.

我们得请新邻居过来喝一杯。

if you ask something of someone, you want them to do it for you

It would be better if he cooperated, but perhaps I’m asking too much.

要是他合作就好了，不过，也许我的要求过分了。

You have no right to ask anything of me.

你没有权利对我提任何要求。

Expecting the children to do an hour’s homework after school is asking a lot of them.

I/you can’t/couldn’t ask for a better sth

(also: [I/you can’t/couldn’t ask for more](bold) )

used to say that you are very happy with what you have or with a situation

我/你不能要求有更好的（某事物）了〔表示对所拥有的或某状况非常满意〕

我不能要求有更好的老板了。

to do something that is very likely to have a bad effect or result

Saying that to a feminist is just asking for trouble.

对一个女权主义者说那样的话就是在自找麻烦。

to think carefully and honestly about something

You have to ask yourself where your responsibilities really lie.

你得好好想想，自己的责任究竟在哪里。

依我看〔强调自己的观点〕

used to say you do not know the answer to something

‘Where’s she gone then?’ ‘Don’t ask me!’

“那么她去哪儿了呢？”“别问我！”

used to say that something is too embarrassing or strange to explain

别问了〔用于表示某事说起来很尴尬或很奇怪〕

‘What was that woman selling?’ ‘Don’t ask.’

“那个女人在卖什么？”“别问了。”

used to say that someone deserves something bad that happens to them

It’s his own fault he got hit – he was asking for it.

他挨打是他自己不好——自找的。

if something is yours for the asking, you can have it if you want it

某人只要提出要求（就可以得到）

这份工作她想要就能得到。


ask

a situation in a sports competition when someone needs to get a lot of points or do something very difficult in order to win

〔体育比赛中〕难以取胜的局面

We need to win the next three games. It’s a big ask, but I’m confident we can do it.

我们接下来三场比赛都要赢，这很难，但我相信我们能做到。


asleep

[go to sleep](bold) at → [sleep](->sleep) 2 sense 3

One in seven road accidents is caused by drivers [falling asleep at the wheel](bold)(=falling asleep while driving).

七分之一的交通事故是司机驾车时睡着引起的。

used to mean that someone dies, when you want to avoid saying this directly

Still half asleep, Jenny began to make the kids’ breakfast.

珍妮睡眼惺忪地开始为孩子们准备早餐。

an arm or leg that is asleep has been in one position for too long, so you cannot feel it properly

not paying attention to a situation, so that something bad happens

漫不经心的〔导致不好的事发生〕

Several publishers were asleep at the switch, and missed the book’s potential.

几家出版商掉以轻心，没看到这本书的潜力。


aspect

A person’s nationality is an important aspect of their identity.

There have been changes in five key aspects of education.

Describe some of the positive aspects of technological development.

We have to consider tourism’s negative aspects.

The worrying aspect is that it gets worse every year.

the technical/practical/financial etc aspects

The technical aspects of the movie were incredible.

This is one of the most striking aspects of life in Tokyo.

International banks have departments to deal with this aspect of trade.

Managers were asked to look at every aspect of their work.

Police are reluctant to discuss any aspect of the investigation.

Accountants often concentrate on one aspect of accounting.

The training course covers all aspects of business.

the safety aspect of nuclear power generation

the health aspects of chemical accidents

I’m not very interested in the business aspect.

one part of a situation, idea, plan etc that has many parts

Dealing with people is the most important aspect of my work.

与人打交道是我工作中最重要的一方面。

Alcoholism affects all aspects of family life.

酗酒影响家庭生活的各个方面。

the direction in which a window, room, front of a building etc faces

The storm outside gave the room a sinister aspect.

外面的风暴使房间显得阴森可怕。

the form of a verb in grammar that shows whether an action is continuing, or happens always, again and again, or once

〔动词的〕体〔表示动作正在进行、总是发生、反复发生或发生一次〕

‘He sings’ differs from ‘He is singing’ in aspect.


aspiration

ˌæspəˈreɪʃən

ˌæspəˈreɪʃən

a strong desire to have or achieve something

their [hopes and aspirations](bold) for the future

the sound of air blowing out that happens when some consonants are pronounced, such as the /p/ in ‘pin’

送气音〔如pin的/p/〕


aspire

to desire and work towards achieving something important

college graduates aspiring to careers in finance

有志于从事金融行业的大学毕业生

At that time, all serious artists aspired to go to Rome.

那时，所有严肃的艺术家都渴望去罗马。


aspirin

[plural](italic) aspirin or [plural](italic) aspirins

a medicine that reduces pain,inflammation, and fever

阿司匹林〔退热镇痛消炎药〕


assassin

Kennedy’s assassin is assumed to have been Lee Harvey Oswald.

暗杀肯尼迪的人据说是李·哈维·奥斯瓦尔德。


assassination

əˌsæsəˈneɪʃən

[character assassination](bold) at → [character](->character) sense 6

the act of murdering an important person

He narrowly escaped an [assassination attempt](bold)(=when someone tries but fails to kill someone else).

他在一次暗杀行动中死里逃生。


assault

The number of violent assaults in the city has reached an all-time high.

Last year, serious assaults increased by 40%.

The vicious assault happened outside the man’s home.

Women who have suffered serious sexual assault are offered support and counselling.

There have even been physical assaults on witnesses.

The four young Asian men were victims of a vicious racial assault.

He ended up in court charged with assault.

The lawyer claimed she was drunk when she suffered the assault.

She had to attend court as a witness in an assault case.

the crime of physically attacking someone

侵犯人身（罪），殴击他人身体（罪）

Several soldiers have been [charged with assault](bold).

几名士兵被控人身侵犯罪。

a military attack to take control of a place controlled by the enemy

an unsuccessful assault on the enemy lines

The refugee camp [came under assault](bold) again last night.

a strong spoken or written criticism of someone else’s ideas, plans etc

Traditional family values are increasingly under assault.

传统的家庭价值观日益受到抨击。

an attempt to achieve something difficult, especially using physical force

〔尤指靠体力的〕闯关，冲击（难关）

an assault on Mt Everest (=an attempt to climb it)


assault

Two men assaulted him after he left the bar.

他离开酒吧之后遭到两名男子的袭击。

He was found guilty of indecently assaulting a student.

if a feeling, sound, smell etc assaults you, it affects you in a way that makes you uncomfortable or upset

The noises and smells of the market assaulted her senses.

市场里的噪声和气味刺激着她的感官。

to strongly criticize someone’s ideas, plans etc

（设法）攻克，解决〔难题〕

解决这些问题的特别工作小组


assemble

if you assemble a large number of people or things, or if they assemble, they are gathered together in one place, often for a particular purpose

→see THESAURUS at [collect](->collect) 1   →see THESAURUS at [meet](->meet) 1

A large crowd had assembled outside the American embassy.

一大群人聚集在美国大使馆外。

He looked around at the [assembled company](bold)(=all the people who had come there).

She had assembled a collection of her favourite songs.

她收集了一些自己最喜欢听的歌。

to put all the parts of something together

The aircraft will continue to be assembled in France.


assembly

a group of people who are elected to make decisions or laws for a particular country, area, or organization

the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland

the speaker of the California state assembly

the meeting together of a group of people for a particular purpose

Police have imposed conditions on [public assemblies](bold).

警方给公共集会设置了条件。

Restrictions on [freedom of assembly](bold) have gradually been relaxed.

对集会自由的限制渐渐放宽了。

an [assembly point](bold)(=a place where people go in a particular situation)

a regular meeting of all the teachers and students of a school

the process of putting the parts of something together


assert

French cooking, she asserted, is the best in the world.

她坚称法国菜是世界上最好的。

He asserted that nuclear power was a safe and non-polluting energy source.

他断言核能是安全、无污染的能源。

assert your rights/independence/superiority etc

to state very strongly your right to something

坚持自己的权利/独立/优越性等

Native Americans asserting their rights to ancestral land

坚持祖先的土地归自己所有的印第安人

to behave in a determined way and say clearly what you think

Women began to assert themselves politically.

女性也开始坚定地表达自己的政治主张。

if an idea or belief asserts itself, it begins to influence something

民族自豪感开始产生影响。


assertion

something that you say or write that you strongly believe

the assertion that house prices are falling

her assertions about the murder of her father

She [makes](bold) very general [assertions](bold) about marriage in the poem.

她在诗中表达的婚姻主张非常笼统。


assertive

[assertiveness](bold) n. <U> eg: assertiveness training

behaving in a confident way, so that people notice you

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


assess

to make a judgment about a person or situation after thinking carefully about it

[assess the impact/extent/effectiveness etc of sth](bold)

a report to assess the impact of advertising on children

评价广告对儿童影响的报告

The technique is being tried in classrooms to assess what effects it may have.

这种方法正在课堂上试用，以评定效果。

Many of the adults were assessed as having learning difficulties.

这些成人中许多被评定有学习障碍。

to calculate the value or cost of something

对 …估价；估计 …的成本

The value of the business was assessed at £1.25 million.

对该企业估价125万英镑。


assessment

[continuous assessment](bold) at → [continuous](->continuous) sense 3

I had to make a quick assessment of the situation and act accordingly.

A teacher does a yearly assessment of each child’s progress.

(=that covers the main features or parts of something, not the details)

The doctor must carry out a general assessment of the patient’s health.

We need a detailed assessment of what this will cost.

(=that includes all the necessary facts or details)

Our clients receive a comprehensive assessment of their financial affairs.

(=that is based on facts, not on feelings or beliefs)

The test results will provide an objective assessment of how much you have improved.

What’s your personal assessment of the risks?

Parents need to feel part of the assessment procedure.

We recommend using a variety of assessment methods.

a process in which you make a judgment about a person or situation, or the judgment you make

What’s Michael’s assessment of the situation?

a calculation about the cost or value of something


asset

→ [fixed assets](->fixed assets) → [liquid assets](->liquid assets)

the things that a company owns, that can be sold to pay debts

一家拥有90亿美元资产的公司

something or someone that is useful because they help you succeed or deal with problems

有利条件；长处；有用的人

A sense of humor is a great asset in this business.

在这一行业中，幽默感是一大有利条件。

I think Rachel would be an asset to the department.

我认为雷切尔会是这个部门的财富。


assign

to give someone a particular job or make them responsible for a particular person or thing

分配，分派，指派〔任务〕

I’ve been assigned the task of looking after the new students.

指派给我的工作是照顾新来的学生。

Jan’s been assigned to the Asian Affairs Bureau.

Madison was assigned to investigate a balloon accident.

麦迪逊被派去调查一宗气球事故。

给每个学生分派一个搭档。

to give a particular time, value, place etc to something

确定〔时间、价值、地点等〕

How much time have you assigned for the meeting?

你给这个会议定了多长时间？

A code was assigned to each batch of work.

每批作业都确定了一个编号。

to give money, equipment etc to someone to use

分配，分派〔资金、设备等〕

A personal bodyguard had been assigned to her.

已给她派了一个私人保镖。

他们分配给我一个小房间。


assignment

a piece of work that is given to someone as part of their job

She’s gone to Italy on a special assignment.

她去意大利执行一项特殊任务。

He was killed while on assignment abroad.

他在国外执行任务时遇害。

a piece of work that a student is asked to do

when people are given particular jobs to do

something such as a place to sit, piece of equipment etc that you are given to use for a particular purpose


assist

You will be employed to assist in the development of new equipment.

你将受聘协助开发新设备。

We want to assist people to stay in their own homes.

我们想帮助人们待在自己家里。

to make it easier for someone to do something

In everyday English, people usually say [help ](bold)  rather than [assist](bold) :

They have special software to [help](bold) them process invoices.


assist

an action that helps another player on your sports team to make a point


assistance

Phone this number if you need any assistance.

If side-effects are severe, seek medical assistance.

Our staff can give assistance with any problems that may arise.

I would be grateful for any assistance you can offer.

There is no doubt that the US will provide assistance.

A group of donors led by the World Bank promised assistance to the value of US$508,000,000.

Police are at the scene and have requested assistance.

The company may also provide financial assistance.

humanitarian aid and other forms of economic assistance

Most of our time is spent providing technical assistance to companies.

It was difficult to get good legal assistance.

Beijing renewed its military assistance to North Korea.

‘How can I be of assistance to you?’ she asked.

One of her fellow passengers came to her assistance.

The elderly sometimes have no one to turn to for assistance.

We offer financial assistance to students.

我们向学生提供经济援助。

Can I [be of](bold) any [assistance](bold)(=can I help you)?

We’ve rebuilt the theatre with the assistance of the National Lottery.

在国家彩票的资助下我们重建了戏院。


assistant

someone whose job is just below the level of manager etc

助理经理/主任/厨师/裁判等


assistant

→ [personal assistant](->personal assistant)

someone who helps someone else in their work, especially by doing the less important jobs


associate

əˈsəʊʃieɪt, əˈsəʊsi-

to make a connection in your mind between one thing or person and another

I don’t associate him with energetic sports.

我不会把他和剧烈的体育运动联系在一起。

In everyday English, people usually say something [comes with](bold)  or [goes with](bold)  something rather than [is associated with](bold)  it:

There are some problems that [go with](bold) this way of doing things.

to be related to a particular subject, activity etc

（与某人/某物）有关，（与某人/某物）有瓜葛

problems associated with cancer treatment

(also: [associate yourself with sb/sth](bold) )

to show that you support someone or something

He did not associate himself with the pro-democracy movement.

to spend time with someone, especially someone that other people disapprove of

与某人交往；与某人混在一起

I don’t like these layabouts you’re associating with.

我不喜欢你结交的这些游手好闲的人。


associate

əˈsəʊʃiət, əˈsəʊsi-

someone who you work or do business with


associate

someone who is a member etc of something, but who is at a lower level and has fewer rights

准会员/副主任/副主管等


association

əˌsəʊsiˈeɪʃən, əˌsəʊʃi-

an organization that consists of a group of people who have the same aims, do the same kind of work etc

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

→ [housing association](->housing association)

a relationship with a particular person, organization, group etc

〔与某个人、机构、组织等的〕关系，关联，交往

his [close association](bold) with the Green Party

made or done with another person, organization etc

与某人/某机构等合伙[合作]

concerts sponsored by the Arts Council in association with local businesses

由艺术委员会和当地企业联合赞助的音乐会

a connection or relationship between two events, ideas, situations etc

〔两个事件、想法、局面等之间的〕联系

the [strong association](bold) between the disease and middle-aged women

这种疾病与中年女性的紧密联系

a feeling or memory that is related to a particular place, event, word etc

Scotland has all kinds of happy associations for me.

苏格兰给我各种各样愉快的联想。


assume

to think that something is true, although you do not have definite proof

I didn’t see your car, so I assumed you’d gone out.

我没有看见你的汽车，所以我以为你出去了。

[it seems/is reasonable to assume (that)](bold)

It seems reasonable to assume that the book was written around 70 AD.

认为这本书写于公元70年前后似乎有道理。

[sb can safely assume that](bold)(=it is almost certain)

I think we can safely assume that interest rates will go up again soon.

我觉得我们几乎可以肯定利率很快会再次上升。

[let us/let’s assume (that)](bold)(=used when thinking about a possible event or situation and its possible results)

Let us assume for a moment that we could indeed fire her. Should we?

我们暂且假设真的能开除她，我们是不是该那样做？

The rest of the system is assumed to be functioning well.

系统的其余部分被假定为运转良好。

[assume the worst](bold)(=think that the worst possible thing has happened)

When it got to midnight and Paul was still not back, I began to assume the worst.

到午夜时保罗还没回来，我就开始往最坏的地方想了。

In more formal English, you say[ it is assumed that ](bold) something is true: It is assumed that the person is innocent.

to start to have control, responsibility etc or to start in a particular position or job

Whoever they appoint will [assume responsibility for](bold) all financial matters.

他们任命谁，谁就要负责财务方面的所有事务。

He [assumed power](bold) in a bloody coup in 1990.

他在1990年一场血腥的政变中上台。

Jim Paton will [assume the role of](bold) managing director.

吉姆·帕顿将出任常务董事一职。

to behave in a way that does not show how you really feel, especially in order to seem more confident, happy etc than you are

假装[装出] …的态度/样子/表情等

Andy assumed an air of indifference whenever her name was mentioned.

每次提到她的名字，安迪都装出无所谓的样子。

to start to have a particular quality or appearance

These relationships [assume](bold) great [importance](bold) in times of crisis.

在危急时刻，这些关系显得尤为重要。

The problem is beginning to [assume](bold) massive [proportions](bold).

to be based on the idea that something else is correct

The theory assumes that both labour and capital are mobile.

这个理论的前提是劳动力和资本都是流动的。

Coen’s economic forecast assumes a 3.5% growth rate.

科恩的经济预测是以3.5%的增长率为前提的。


assumption

You’re making a lot of assumptions for which you have no proof.

Our plans were based on the assumption that everyone would be willing to help.

(=act according to something that may not be true)

The police seemed to be working on the assumption that he was guilty.

This seemed like a reasonable assumption.

There’s a common assumption that science is more difficult than other subjects.

There is a basic assumption in international law that a state will protect its citizens.

Many people acted on the correct assumption that interest rates would rise.

Both theories are based on a single wrong assumption.

(=a belief that is used as the basis for an idea, but which may not be correct)

There seems to be an underlying assumption in what he says that women are weaker than men.

There seemed to be a tacit assumption that they would get married.

That assumption was obviously highly questionable.

something that you think is true although you have no definite proof

A lot of people make the assumption that poverty only exists in the Third World.

许多人以为贫困仅仅存在于第三世界。

My calculations were based on the assumption that house prices would remain steady.

我的估算是基于房价将保持稳定的假设。

People make a lot of assumptions about me.

when someone starts to have control or power

〔控制或权力的〕取得；承担，就任


assurance

a promise that something will definitely happen or is definitely true, made especially to make someone less worried

Despite my repeated assurances, Rob still looked very nervous.

尽管我再三保证，罗布看起来还是很紧张。

[give/seek/receive an assurance (that)](bold)

He gave an assurance that the work would be completed by Wednesday.

他保证星期三之前把活干完。

a feeling of calm confidence about your own abilities, or that you are right about something

the calm assurance with which she handled the horse

‘Jack will never agree to that,’ he said with assurance.

“杰克绝不会同意的。”他肯定地说道。

insurance, especially to provide money when someone dies


assure

You [assure](bold)  someone [that](bold)  something is true or will happen: He assured them that they would be safe.

You [assure ](bold) someone [of](bold)  something: He assured them of their safety.

You [ guarantee that](bold)  something is true or will happen: We guarantee that you will get your money back.

You [guarantee to do](bold)  something: We guarantee to give you your money back.

You [ guarantee ](bold) someone something: We guarantee you a full refund.

to tell someone that something will definitely happen or is definitely true so that they are less worried

→see THESAURUS at [promise](->promise) 1

Her doctor has assured us that she’ll be fine.

医生向我们保证她会没事的。

The document is genuine, [I can assure you](bold).

我能向你保证，这文件是真的。

The dealer had assured me of its quality.

经销商向我保证过它的质量。

[rest assured](bold) at → [rest](->rest) 2 sense 5

to make something certain to happen or to be achieved

Excellent reviews have assured the film’s success.

这部影片获得的好评保证了它的卖座。

A win on Saturday will assure them of promotion to Division One.

他们星期六的比赛如能获胜就可以保证晋升到甲级。

to check that something is correct or true

Tim waited a moment to assure himself that he was not being followed.

蒂姆等了一会儿，以确定自己没被跟踪。

I took steps to assure myself of her guilt.

我采取行动查明她的罪行。

the amount of insurance money to be paid out when someone dies


assured

if you are assured of something, you will definitely get it or achieve it

His victory means that he is now assured of a place in the final.

他本场获胜意味着他现在确保进入决赛了。


asthma

a medical condition that causes difficulties in breathing


astonish

[It astonished](bold) him [that](bold) she had changed so little.

他很惊讶，她几乎没怎么变。

[What astonishes](bold) me most [is](bold) his complete lack of fear.

最令我吃惊的是，他什么都不怕。


astonished

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

[astonished to see/find/hear/learn etc](bold)

We were astonished to find the temple still in its original condition.

我们惊讶地发现寺庙还是原来的样子。

I’m astonished that you should even think such a thing!

我真没料到你竟然会想这种事！


astonishing

[astonishingly](bold) adv. eg: an astonishingly good voice

so surprising that it is difficult to believe

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


astonishment

əˈstɒnɪʃmənt

令我吃惊的是，汽车不见了。


astronaut

someone who travels and works in a spacecraft


astronomy

the scientific study of the stars and planets


astute

able to understand situations or behaviour very well and very quickly, especially so that you can get an advantage for yourself


asylum

protection given to someone by a government because they have escaped from fighting or political trouble in their own country

（政治）避难，（政治）庇护

[apply for/seek/be granted asylum](bold)

他在法国获得了政治庇护。

→ [political asylum](->political asylum)


at

[at all](bold) at → [all](->all) 1 sense 6

– with holiday periods, meaning the few days around the holiday:

– with [weekend](bold) , in British English:

– with months, seasons, years, and centuries:

– with [weekend](bold) , in American English:

[Talking about position and place](bold)

– with words for buildings, for example [airport](bold) , [university](bold) , [restaurant](bold) , [art gallery](bold) :

– with city or place names, when you are talking about stopping during a journey:

– with a position or place, when something or someone is inside a larger thing such as a room:

– with cities, counties, states, and countries:

– with the names of squares, plazas etc:

– with a position or place, when one thing is attached to or touching another:

He hung his jacket on the back of a chair.

You can use either [in ](bold)  or [on](bold)  with street names in British English. In American English, use [on](bold) :

used to say exactly where something or someone is, or where something happens

在，在 …里，在 …上〔指地点〕

他们住在维多利亚街18号。

这列火车在普雷斯顿停吗？

Liz and her friend sat down at a corner table.

莉兹和她的朋友在靠角落的一张桌子旁坐下。

We’ll meet at Harry’s (=at Harry’s house).

I spent an unpleasant hour at the dentist’s.

我在牙医诊所度过了难熬的一小时。

Dad’s at work (=in the place where he works).

[at the top/bottom/end etc (of sth)](bold)

她在楼梯最上面停了下来。

used to say what event or activity someone is taking part in

我在迪斯科舞会上认识了我的妻子。

The matter was discussed at a meeting of the finance committee.

这件事在财务委员会的会议上讨论过了。

对不起，帕姆正在吃午饭。

used to say that someone is studying somewhere regularly

Hulme was a student at Oxford in the 1960s.

20世纪60年代休姆在牛津求学。

used to say exactly when something happens

在 …时刻〔表示某事发生的确切时间〕

圣诞节我们去参加子夜弥撒。

used to say which thing or person an action is directed towards or intended for

The older girls used to throw stones at me.

那些大一点的女孩以前常常朝我扔石子。

The course is aimed at those aged 16 or over.

这门课的对象是16岁及以上的人。

used to say what or who causes an action or feeling

孩子们听了他的笑话都笑起来。

Dad got really mad at me for scratching the car.

爸爸因为我刮坏了汽车对我大为光火。

她因不得不离去而感到的悲伤

used to say which subject or activity you are talking about when you say whether someone is skilful, successful etc or not

Barbara’s getting on really well at her new job.

芭芭拉的新工作干得非常不错。

He’s an expert at making things out of junk.

used to say that someone or something is in a particular state

Many children are still at risk from neglect or abuse.

仍有许多孩子面临受忽视或虐待的危险。

used to show a price, rate, level, age, speed etc

以，在〔表示价格、比率、水平、年龄、速度等〕

你到这个年龄了应该更明智一些。

The Renault was travelling at about 50 mph.

那辆雷诺车以50英里左右的时速行驶着。

used to say that, at a particular time, someone or something is as good, bad etc as they can be

处于最佳/最差/最有效等的状态

这个花园在六月份的时候景色最美。

used to say what someone tries to touch, or keeps touching

〔表示试图触及或不放开〕

乔治只是小口小口地吃着东西。

the student’s first attempt at a piece of research

那名学生首次尝试做调查研究

They were so beautiful that I decided to have a go at growing them.

它们真漂亮，我决定种种看。

应，响应，由于〔某人的话〕

Chapman visited Austria at the invitation of his friend, Hugo Meisl.

查普曼应朋友胡戈·迈斯尔之邀去了奥地利。

At my suggestion, Bernard went to see his former teacher.

伯纳德听了我的建议，去看望了他以前的老师。

used to suggest that someone should do something while they are doing something else

趁我/你等在做某事的时候顺便〔用于建议别人做某事〕

I’m just going for a cup of coffee. Shall I bring you one while I’m at it?

我正要去喝杯咖啡，要不要顺便给你带一杯？

if you say that someone is at it again, you mean that they are doing something you disapprove of, which they have done before

又来了〔表示某人又在做你不喜欢的事〕

She’s at it again, interfering in other people’s business.

It’s a new idea, and a good one, at that.

这是个新主意，而且还是个好主意。

Tess called him a liar and at that he stormed out of the room.

特丝说他是个骗子，他听了这话就冲出房间走了。

used to say that a place or activity is very popular, exciting, and fashionable

是流行[精彩，时尚]的场所[活动]


athlete

someone who competes in sports competitions, especially running, jumping, and throwing

someone who is good at sports and who often does sports

我小时候是个天生的运动健将。


athletic

æθˈletɪk, əθ-

æθˈletɪk, əθ-


athletics

[Athletics](bold)  is followed by a singular verb: [Athletics is](bold) largely an individual sport.

physical activities such as sports and exercise


atlas

a book containing maps, especially of the whole world


atmosphere

It's a good school and it has a very happy atmosphere.

Helen's flat has a very relaxed atmosphere.

(=when people are celebrating something)

Outside the stadium, there was a carnival atmosphere.

(=when a place you arrive at feels friendly)

The bar provides a welcoming atmosphere for a relaxing evening drink.

(=when a building, room etc is small, comfortable, and warm)

With its low ceilings and open fire, the house has a cosy atmosphere.

There's a bad atmosphere among the staff.

As soon as I went in, I was aware of the tense atmosphere in the room.

New owners bought the hotel and the whole atmosphere changed.

Lighting is one of the most effective ways of creating a good atmosphere.

the feeling that an event or place gives you

The hotel had a lovely [relaxed atmosphere](bold).

那家宾馆的气氛轻松愉快。

The atmosphere at home was rather tense.

An atmosphere of optimism dominated the conference.

if a place or event has atmosphere, it is interesting

The castle was centuries old and full of atmosphere.

那座城堡有数百年历史，极富魅力。

the mixture of gases that surrounds the Earth

the mixture of gases that surrounds a planet


atom

the smallest part of an element that can exist alone or can combine with other substances to form a molecule

a very small amount of something – used for emphasis

那里面没有丝毫的真实性。


atomic

relating to the energy produced by splitting atoms or the weapons that use this energy

原子能的；核能的；原子武器的；核武器的


attach

to fasten or connect one object to another

系；绑；贴；固定；连接；附上

Attach a recent photograph to your application form.

a small battery attached to a little loudspeaker

装在小喇叭上的一节小电池

[the attached form/cheque/leaflet etc](bold)

Please fill in and return the attached reply slip.

请填好所附的回执并寄回。

to like someone or something very much, because you have known them or had them for a long time

It’s easy to become attached to the children you work with.

你很容易就会喜欢上工作中接触到的孩子。

attach importance/significance etc to sth

重视某事物，认为某事物很重要

People attach too much importance to economic forecasts.

人们把经济预测看得过于重要。

if blame attaches or is attached to someone, they are responsible for something bad that happens

（使）〔某坏事的责任〕与 …有牵连

No blame can be attached to Roy for the incident.

这起事件罗伊一点责任也没有。

if a quality, feeling, idea etc attaches or is attached to a person, thing, or event, it is connected with them

（使）〔某种品质、情感、思想等〕与 …联系起来

It’s easy to let the emotions attached to one situation spill over into others.

与某一情形相关的情绪很容易蔓延到其他情形中。

to work for part of a particular organization, especially for a short period of time

〔尤指短期〕为某机构工作

He was attached to the foreign affairs department of a Japanese newspaper.

他在一家日本报纸的外事新闻部工作。

The Food Ministry is attached to the Ministry of Agriculture.

to connect a document or file  to an email so that you can send them together

to join someone and spend a lot of time with them, often without being invited or welcome

和某人长时间待在一起，缠着某人〔常指不请自来或不受欢迎〕

A young man from Canada had attached himself to Sam.

一个加拿大来的小伙子一直缠着萨姆。

to allow something to happen, but only if someone agrees to do a particular thing or accept a particular idea

When approving a merger, the commission can attach conditions.

委员会在批准公司合并时可以附加条件。

to think of or describe someone or something as being a particular thing, especially in a very general way

You can’t really attach a label to this type of art.

你实在没法给这种艺术贴上标签。


attachment

a feeling that you like or love someone or something and that you would be unhappy without them

a part that you can put onto a machine to make it do a particular job

The vacuum cleaner has various attachments.

这台真空吸尘器有各种附件。

belief in and loyalty towards a particular idea, organization etc

old people’s attachment to traditional customs

a document or file that is sent with an email message

I’ll send the spreadsheet as an attachment.

我将把电子表格作为附件发送。

when you fasten or connect one thing to another, or the thing that you use to do this

Hooks were fixed to the wall for the attachment of the ropes.

钩子固定在墙上以套挂绳索。

the attachments that secure your boots firmly to the skis

把靴子牢牢固定在滑雪板上的扣件

working for a particular organization, especially for a short period of time

〔尤指短期〕在 …工作，挂职

He was sent on attachment to their offices in Hong Kong.

他被暂派到他们在香港的办事处工作。

a situation in which part of the money someone earns or money that is owed to them is taken by a court of law and used to pay their debts

a piece of paper fastened to a document such as an insurance agreement, which shows a special condition of the agreement

〔保险合同等的〕附加条款


attack

an act of using weapons against an enemy in a war

The US was threatening to launch an attack on Iran.

The men had been carrying out rocket attacks on British forces.

Bombs have been falling throughout the night, and the city is still under attack being attacked.

an occasion when an army enters a country and tries to take control of it

The Allies began their invasion of Europe.

The threat of foreign invasion is very real.

a short attack on a place by soldiers or planes, intended to cause damage but not take control

NATO warplanes carried out a series of bombing raids on the city.

The village has been the target of frequent raids by rebel groups.

a sudden military attack, especially after a serious disagreement

Senior Israeli officials warned that they were still considering a military strike.

a military attack intended to take control of a city, area, or building controlled by an enemy

The final military assault on Kwangju began at 3 am on May 27.

Hitler launched an all-out assault using as many soldiers, weapons, planes etc as possible on Russia.

a sudden attack by people who have been waiting and hiding, especially an attack on a vehicle or people who are travelling somewhere

Five soldiers were shot in the back and killed in the ambush.

Enemy forces waiting in ambush opened fire on the vehicle.

a military attack made in response to an attack by an enemy

Government forces launched a counterattack against the guerillas.

If they successfully occupied the city, they would need to be capable of defending it against enemy counterattack.

In 1544 there was a full-scale onslaught on France, in which the English took Boulogne.

The troops were preparing for another onslaught against the enemy.

(=usually intended to achieve a political aim)

Animal rights activists are believed to have carried out the bomb attack.

The accused men went on trial Monday for America’s worst-ever terrorist attack.

He was sentenced to nine years in prison for the knife attack.

(=intended to destroy a building by burning it)

Ten classrooms were completely destroyed in the arson attack.

Police described it as an extremely violent attack.

'This was a horrific attack,' said Detective Chief Superintendent Ron Astles.

The woman was stabbed to death in a frenzied attack at her home.

Staffordshire police are treating the incident as a racial attack.

There was no indication of a sexual attack.

(=in which the victim did nothing to cause the attack)

Their teenage son was knocked to the ground, kicked and punched in an unprovoked attack.

He was stabbed to death in an apparently motiveless attack.

The man who carried out the attack has been described as white and 25 to 32 years old.

The attack took place at around 10 pm Thursday.

The killing follows a series of brutal attacks on tourists.

She was the victim of an attack in her own home.

They would not risk a nuclear attack on the United States.

(=that is done with a lot of determination)

General Smith was in favour of an all-out attack on the enemy.

(=that uses all the available soldiers and weapons)

German troops launched a full-scale attack on the city.

Armed attacks against Israeli settlements are on the increase.

We launched a surprise attack on their camp just before dawn.

There were 15 dead and 20 wounded in a missile attack on the capital.

In April the French army launched an attack.

The King now prepared to mount an attack on Granada.

Camps in the south came under attack from pro-government forces.

He arrived when the base was under attack from mortar and small arms fire.

an act of violence that is intended to hurt a person or damage a place

There have been several attacks on foreigners recently.

最近发生了几宗袭击外国人的事件。

an [arson attack](bold)(=an attempt to destroy a building using fire)

the act of using weapons against an enemy in a war

Once again we came under attack from enemy fighter planes.

我们再一次遭到敌军战斗机的袭击。

Rebel forces [launched](bold)(=started) an [attack](bold) late Sunday night.

周日深夜，叛军发动攻击。

a strong and direct criticism of someone or something

The magazine recently published a vicious [personal attack](bold) on the novelist.

那本杂志最近发表文章，对这名小说家进行恶意的人身攻击。

[be/come under attack](bold)(=be strongly criticized)

The company has come under fierce attack for its decision to close the factory.

那家公司因决定关闭工厂而受到猛烈抨击。

[go on the attack](bold)(=start to criticize someone severely)

a sudden short period of suffering from an illness, especially an illness that you have often

He died after [suffering](bold) a severe asthma [attack](bold).

a short period of time when you suddenly feel extremely frightened or worried and cannot think normally or deal with the situation

Her heart began to pound frantically, as if she were having a panic attack.

她的心开始狂跳，仿佛恐惧突然袭来。

actions that are intended to get rid of or stop something such as a system, a set of laws etc

〔对体制、法律等的〕冲击

The new measures were seen by many as an attack on the Scottish way of life.

许多人认为新措施是对苏格兰生活方式的冲击。

an attempt by a player or group of players to score goals or win points

the players in a team that are responsible for trying to score goals or win points

Heath will play alongside Smith in attack.

希思将和史密斯联手进攻。

when something such as a disease, insect, or chemical damages something

〔病、虫或化学物的〕损害，伤害

Unfortunately, the carved ceilings have suffered woodworm attack over the years.

可惜的是，雕花的天花板已经长年累月受到蛀虫侵害。


attack

to use violence against someone and try to hurt them

She was attacked by a man with a baseball bat.

if a group of people ambush someone, they hide and wait for them and then attack them

The judge was ambushed by gunmen as he drove to work at the courthouse.

to attack someone and take money from them in a public place such as a street

He was mugged on his way home from school.

The victim had been stabbed in the neck.

to attack and hurt someone – used especially when talking about this as a criminal

He assaulted a flight attendant who refused to serve him more drinks.

He died outside his home after being set upon by a gang of youths.

to suddenly change your behaviour and attack the person you are with, when they do not expect this

The dog suddenly turned on him, sinking its teeth into his arm.

to use weapons to try to damage or take control of a place

The village was attacked by enemy warplanes.

to enter a country and try to get control of it using force

The Romans invaded Britain 2,000 years ago.

to suddenly attack a city or building that is well defended by getting inside it and taking control

Elite troops stormed the building and rescued the hostages.

to surround a city or building with soldiers in order to stop the people inside from getting out or from receiving supplies

In April 655, Osman’s palace was besieged by rebels.

to deliberately use violence to hurt a person or damage a place

She was attacked while walking home late at night.

她深夜步行回家时遭到袭击。

His shop was attacked by a gang of youths.

他的商店遭到一伙年轻人的破坏。

Snakes will only attack if you disturb them.

蛇只有在受到骚扰时才会攻击。

He needed 200 stitches after being attacked with a broken bottle.

他被人用破酒瓶砸伤了，需要缝200针。

to start using guns, bombs etc against an enemy in a war

Army tanks attacked a village near the capital on Sunday.

周日，军方的坦克袭击了首都附近的一个村庄。

to criticize someone or something very strongly

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

Last year Dr Travis publicly attacked the idea that abortion should be available on demand.

去年，特拉维斯医生公开抨击了堕胎有求须应的观点。

Newspapers attacked the government for failing to cut taxes.

[strongly/bitterly/savagely etc attack sb/sth](bold)

if something such as a disease, insect, or chemical attacks something, it damages it

〔病、虫或化学物〕给 …造成伤害，侵袭，侵蚀

a cruel disease that attacks the brain and nervous system

一种破坏大脑和神经系统的严重疾病

to begin to do something in a determined and eager way

She immediately set about attacking the problem.

她立即着手全力处理这个问题。

Martin attacked his meal (=started eating) with vigour.

马丁开始狼吞虎咽地吃起饭来。

to move forward and try to score goals or win points

Brazil began to attack more in the second half of the match.

巴西队下半场加强了进攻。


attacker

a person who deliberately uses violence to hurt someone

Her attacker then dragged her into the bushes.

袭击者接着将她拖进灌木丛。

a member of a sports team whose job is to move forward and try to score goals or win points


attain

[attainable](bold) adj. eg: This target should be attainable.

to succeed in achieving something after trying for a long time

〔通过长时间努力而〕得到，获得，赢得

More women are attaining positions of power.

越来越多的女性获得要职。

to reach a particular level, age, size etc

达到〔某水平、年龄、尺寸等〕

股价涨到3.27美元的高位。

After a year she had attained her ideal weight.

一年后，她达到了理想的体重。


attainment

success in achieving something or reaching a particular level

something that you have succeeded in achieving or learning, such as a skill

a society remarkable for its cultural attainments


attempt

They had to abandon their attempt to climb the mountain.

He failed in his attempt to set a new Olympic record.

Troops loyal to the general foiled the assassination attempt.

All attempts to find a cure have failed.

also: at the first/second etc attempt (BrE)

They worked through the night in a vain attempt to finish on schedule.

Doctors made a desperate attempt to save his life.

His question was a deliberate attempt to humiliate her.

This is the first serious attempt to tackle the problem.

an unsuccessful attempt to overthrow the government

They made an abortive attempt to keep the company going.

I jumped up and down in a futile attempt to keep warm.

(=certain to fail, and causing something very bad to happen)

His attempt to reach the Pole was doomed from the beginning.

(=one that you admire, but that is unsuccessful)

The previous government made a brave attempt to tackle the problem.

She made a valiant attempt to continue playing, but the pain was too much.

(=when someone openly tries to do something bad)

It was a blatant attempt to hide the truth.

They made one final attempt to make their marriage work.

(=a final attempt to achieve something before it is too late)

Negotiators are making a last-ditch attempt to save the agreement.

Two firefighters were hurt in the rescue attempt.

De Gaulle survived an assassination attempt in 1961.

He was admitted to hospital after a suicide attempt.

(=an attempt to change the government, usually by force)

The US helped to crush the coup attempt.

an act of trying to do something, especially something difficult

努力，尝试，企图〔尤指做困难的事情〕

All attempts to control inflation have failed.

控制通货膨胀的所有努力都失败了。

She passed her driving test at the first attempt.

她第一次考驾驶执照就通过了。

an occasion when someone tries to kill a famous or important person

企图谋杀某人〔指名人或要人〕

She has already survived two attempts on her life.


attempt

You [attempt to do](bold)  something: They were attempting to climb the mountain.

You [ attempt ](bold) something: The prisoners attempted an escape.

You [ try to do ](bold) something: I tried to call him at home.

In everyday spoken English, you say that you will [try and do](bold)  something (= try to do something) : I will try and call him at home.

If you [try ](bold) something, you taste or experience something for the first time: I’ve never tried sushi before.

to try to do something, especially something difficult

In this chapter I will attempt to explain what led up to the revolution.

在这一章里，我想解释一下导致革命的原因。

Weather conditions prevented them from attempting the jump.

天气状况使他们无法尝试跳伞。

an act of trying to kill or harm someone, kill yourself etc


attend

to go to an event such as a meeting or a class

只有12个人出席了会议。

Please let us know if you are unable to attend.

如果不能出席，请通知我们。

In everyday English, people usually say [go (to)](bold)  or [come (to)](bold)  instead of [attend](bold) :

I didn’t [go to](bold) the parents’ meeting.

Please let us know if you can’t [come](bold).

上（学校），定期去（教堂等）

I am the first child in my family to attend college.

我是家里第一个读大学的孩子。

to happen or exist at the same time as something

the peculiar atmosphere which attends such an event

to look after someone, especially because they are ill

On his deathbed the General was attended by several doctors.

将军临终时有几名医生在照料他。

[Attend](bold)  is often passive in this meaning.


attendance

[dance attendance on sb](bold) at → [dance](->dance) 2 sense 5

the number of people who attend a game, concert, meeting etc

We have an average attendance of 4,000 fans per game.

每场比赛平均有4,000名球迷来观战。

Last year’s fair saw [attendance figures](bold) of 32,000.

去年的交易会有3.2万人参加。

when someone goes to a meeting, class etc, or an occasion when they go

Most courses involve an average of eight hours' attendance at college each week.

多数课程都需要平均每个星期到学院里上八小时的课。

The doctor will have a record of her attendances.

医生会记录她的出诊次数。

出席，参加〔特别或重要的活动〕

Over 2,000 people were in attendance at yesterday’s demonstration.

有两千多人参加了昨天的示威游行。


attention

to carefully listen to, look at, or think about something or someone

She told the class to stop talking and pay attention.

In any relationship, it helps to pay attention to each other’s needs.

to think carefully about something that you are doing and not let other things disturb your thoughts

I tried to read a few pages, but I was too upset to concentrate.

Children need their own quiet space where they can concentrate on their homework.

to continue to pay attention to something, especially when you are very excited or worried about something else

On Friday, the day of the party, I had a dreadful time keeping my mind on my work.

Good football players keep their minds on the game at all times.

to keep watching something carefully, so that you do not make any mistakes

The first rule of driving is to keep your eyes on the road.

to be paying so much attention to a book, a conversation, some work etc, that you do not notice what is happening around you

Helen was sitting up in bed, engrossed in a novel.

He was so engrossed in what he was doing he didn’t even hear the doorbell ring.

to be giving all your attention to something, especially something you are reading, watching, or thinking about

The little boy sat at the edge of the pond, totally absorbed in watching the fish.

He was a quiet man who often seemed to be absorbed in his own thoughts.

Matilda was curled up in an armchair, absorbed in a book.

to give all your attention to something or someone and not do anything else – used especially when this is something you want or need to do

Come round when the kids are in bed so I can give you my undivided attention.

Once I’ve finished my exams, I’ll be able to give my undivided attention to looking for a job.

He read the final page, paying particular attention to the last paragraph.

She quickly put away the shopping and then turned her attention to preparing dinner.

(=think about something or someone so that you can deal with a problem)

She promised to give the matter her attention the next day.

(=someone stops listening, watching etc carefully)

During the service, her mind began to wander.

He gave the task his undivided attention.

when you carefully listen to, look at, or think about someone or something

My [attention wasn’t](bold) really [on](bold) the game.

我的注意力其实不在比赛上。

She tried to [pay attention to](bold) what he was saying.

If you [paid](bold) more [attention](bold)  in class, you might actually learn something!

要是你上课更认真些，也许能实实在在地学到些东西！

Scott sat down at his desk and [turned](bold) his [attention to](bold) the file he had in front of him.

斯科特在自己的办公桌前坐下，将注意力转向面前的文件。

As a society we need to [give](bold) more [attention to](bold) the needs of older people.

生活在同一社会里，我们得更加关注年长者的需求。

Now he’s gone, I can [give you my undivided attention](bold).

现在他已经走了，我可以把全部注意力都放在你身上。

This game is fun and is sure to [keep the attention of](bold) any young student.

这个游戏很有趣，一定能使年幼学生保持注意力。

They listened to the speech with [close attention](bold).

[Attention to detail](bold) is essential in this job.

关注细节是这份工作所必需的。

During the lecture Sarah’s [attention](bold) began to [wander](bold).

上课时，萨拉开始走神了。

the interest that people show in someone or something

She was flattered by all the [attention](bold) he was [giving](bold) her.

a player who quickly attracted the attention of several clubs

一名很快就吸引了数家俱乐部注意的球员

The exhibition received little attention in the press.

展览几乎没有得到媒体的关注。

Her case attracted a great deal of media attention.

她的案件吸引了媒体的大量关注。

[hold/keep sb’s attention](bold)(=make someone stay interested and keep reading, listening, watching etc)

The book holds the reader’s attention right to the very end.

这本书从头到尾都吸引着读者的注意力。

Rob loves being [the centre of attention](bold)(=the person who everyone is interested in, listens to etc).

罗布喜欢成为关注的焦点。

She spent a lot of time trying to avoid the attentions (=romantic interest) of her boss.

她想方设法躲避老板的殷勤之举。

The man then [turned his attentions to](bold)(=became romantically interested in)  her sister.

那个男人后来又开始向她妹妹献殷勤。

to make someone notice you, especially because you want to speak to them or you need their help

吸引/引起/得到某人的注意

She waved to attract the attention of the waitress.

她挥手以吸引女服务员的注意。

to make someone notice you and be interested in what you are doing

Children often misbehave in order to get attention.

小孩子捣蛋往往是想引起注意。

to make people notice and be concerned or think about something

The purpose of the article was to draw attention to the problems faced by single parents.

这篇文章的目的是让人们关注单身父母面临的问题。

We wanted to focus public attention on this matter.

我们想让公众关注这件事。

He left quietly to avoid drawing attention to himself.

他悄悄离开，避免引起别人的注意。

to make people stop being concerned about something such as a social problem

All this talk of war is just an attempt to draw attention away from the serious economic problems that face our country.

这一切有关战争的讨论只是为了把人们的注意力从我们国家面临的严重经济问题上转移开去。

to tell someone, especially someone in authority, about something such as a problem

使某事引起某人〔尤指当权者〕注意

The matter was first brought to my attention earlier this year.

今年早些时候，这个问题第一次引起了我的注意。

if something such as a problem comes to the attention of someone in authority, they find out about it

It came to my attention that Jenny was claiming overtime pay for hours she had not worked.

我发现珍妮没有加班却在申请加班费。

if something escaped your attention, you did not notice it

This fact had not escaped the attention of the authorities.

这个事实没能逃过当局的眼睛。

something you do to repair or clean something

The bike’s in fairly good condition, but the gears [need](bold) a bit of [attention](bold).

这辆自行车车况还不错，但是变速器得稍微修理一下。

things that you do to help or to take care of someone or something

Pets need a lot of [care and attention](bold).

宠物需要很多的关心和照顾。

Anyone who comes into contact with these chemicals should seek urgent [medical attention](bold).

接触这些化学品的人应当立即就医。

Your plants look like they [could do with a bit of attention](bold).

你种的花花草草看来需要打理了。

if soldiers stand to attention, they stand up straight in neat lines

used to ask people to listen to important information that is being announced, especially on a loudspeakerpiece of equipment used to make sounds louder

注意！〔尤用于扩音器播放重要通知时〕

Attention, please! Could passenger Marie Thomas please proceed to Gate 25 immediately.

请注意！乘客玛丽·托马斯请立刻前往25号登机口。

used when ordering a group of soldiers to stand up straight in neat lines

used on the front of an official letter when you want a particular person to read it or deal with it

Letters should be marked ‘for the attention of Joe Benson’.

信上应该写“乔·本森亲启”。


attic

a space or room just below the roof of a house, often used for storing things

〔常用于储物的〕阁楼，顶楼


attitude

[attitudinal](bold) /ˌætəˈtjuːd/ US /-ˈtuː-/  adj.

A positive attitude is essential if you want to be successful.

Many teenagers have a very negative attitude towards cooking.

On Bali, there is a healthier, more relaxed attitude to life.

(=having a good opinion of something or someone)

Older people tend to have a favourable attitude to the police.

(=showing you disagree with or disapprove of someone or something)

People’s attitude towards US foreign policy has become increasingly critical.

The public have a rather ambivalent attitude towards science.

(=very careless, especially about something serious or important)

(=showing that you think you are more important or intelligent than someone)

complaints about patronising attitudes towards women

Their attitude suddenly became more aggressive.

a survey of people’s political attitudes

There is a strong connection between health and mental attitude.

His general attitude to our situation was unsympathetic.

Not everyone takes a positive attitude towards modern art.

As you get older, your attitude changes.

This attitude no longer exists in the church.

(=they feel less sympathy and they want to be stricter or firmer)

People’s attitudes towards sex offenders have hardened.

Being young is simply an attitude of mind.

(=someone is not helpful or pleasant to be with)

Some of the male students have a real attitude problem.

the opinions and feelings that you usually have about something, especially when this is shown in your behaviour

〔尤指通过行为表现出的对某事的一般〕看法，态度

As soon as they found out I was a doctor, their whole attitude changed.

他们一听说我是医生，态度就完全改变了。

The people have a very positive attitude to life.

这些人的生活态度很积极。

a style of dressing, behaving etc that shows you have the confidence to do unusual and exciting things without caring what other people think


attract

to make someone interested in something, or make them want to take part in something

What attracted me most to the job was the chance to travel.

这份工作最吸引我的地方是有机会旅行。

The story has attracted a lot of interest from the media.

这则报道引起了媒体的广泛关注。

to feel that you like someone and want to have a sexual relationship with them

to make someone like or admire something or feel romantically interested in someone

I guess it was his eyes that attracted me first.

我想是他的眼睛首先迷住了我。

to make someone or something move towards another thing

low rents designed to attract new businesses to the area

旨在吸引新企业到这个地区来的低租金


attraction

a feature or quality that makes people like, want, or feel interested in something

The excitement is part of the attraction of the job.

For many mothers, the attraction of childcare in the workplace is the chance to be near their children.

The idea of living in another country does have a certain attraction.

a quality that makes people like something or someone

Much of Corfu’s appeal lies in its lively night life.

I don’t understand the appeal of this kind of music.

a very attractive quality that makes you want something very much – often used about something that has a bad effect or influence

It’s hard to resist the lure of credit cards and easy money.

The lure of urban life is especially powerful for the young.

a pleasant quality that someone or something has that makes people like them, feel attracted to them, or be influenced by them

He was physically attractive and possessed considerable personal charm.

The book captures Savannah’s old Southern charm perfectly.

the attractive and exciting quality that is connected with wealth and success

The world of modelling is famous for its glitz and glamour.

something that makes people want to do something or go somewhere

The money is a big draw for many players.

The island’s main draw is its wonderful beaches.

The lovely countryside is obviously the main attraction for visitors.

(=someone or something that many people want to see)

The former president was the star attraction of the conference.

The zoo is by far the most popular attraction.

The ducks and geese are a big attraction to children.

A special attraction is the tropical greenhouse.

The British Museum is one of London’s most popular tourist attractions.

The park will be a new visitor attraction for the town.

The organisers hope the event will become an annual attraction.

a feeling of liking someone, especially in a sexual way

喜爱，喜欢；〔尤指两性间的〕爱慕

The attraction between them was almost immediate.

something interesting or enjoyable to see or do

吸引人之物，有魅力之物，诱惑物

The beautiful beaches are the island’s [main attraction](bold)(=most popular place, activity etc).

美丽的海滩是这个岛的主要魅力所在。

[tourist attraction](bold)(=a place that many tourists visit)

a feature or quality that makes something seem interesting or enjoyable

Being your own boss is one of the attractions of owning your own business.

自己当老板是自己开公司的诱惑力之一。

a force which makes things move together or stay together

the [gravitational attraction](bold) between the Earth and the Moon


attractive

someone who is attractive is good looking, especially in a way that makes you sexually interested in them

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

Women seem to [find](bold) him [attractive](bold).

女性似乎觉得他很有吸引力。

Kitchen utensils should be attractive as well as functional.

厨房用具应该既美观又实用。

having qualities that make you want to accept something or be involved in it

a political movement that is attractive to young people

I must say, it’s a very attractive offer.

我得说，这个机会很有吸引力。


attribute to

to believe or say that a situation or event is caused by something

The fall in the number of deaths from heart disease is generally attributed to improvements in diet.

心脏病死亡人数的下降通常归因于日常饮食的改善。

if people in general attribute a particular statement, painting, piece of music etc to someone, they believe that person said it, painted it etc

认为 …是 …所说[所作等]

a saying usually attributed to Confucius

一般认为是孔子说的一句格言

to believe or say that someone or something has a particular quality

One should not attribute human motives to animals.

不应该认为动物也有人类的动机。

[attribution](bold) /ˌætrəˈbjuːʃ/  n. <U>


attribute

a quality or feature, especially one that is considered to be good or useful

What attributes should a good manager possess?

一名优秀的经理应该具备哪些素质？


auction

a public meeting where land, buildings, paintings etc are sold to the person who offers the most money for them

[put sth up for auction](bold)(=try to sell something at an auction)

This week 14 of his paintings were put up for auction.

本周他的14件画作被拍卖。

[auction house](bold)(=a company that arranges auctions)


auction

also: [auction off](bold)  [v](bold) <[T](bold)>


audience

[Audience](bold)  is usually followed by a singular verb: The audience [was](bold) cheering and shouting.

In British English, you can also use a plural verb: The audience [were ](bold)cheering and shouting.

The band played to huge audiences in Mexico City and Buenos Aires.

He has the ability to make an audience laugh.

Most of the audience clapped but a few people jeered.

The audience cheered loudly when he came on stage.

She swore at the audience and they began to boo her.

(=the largest number of people who can fit into a hall, theatre etc)

The lecture attracted a capacity audience.

They drew enthusiastic audiences at Europe's biggest rock festival.

Celine Dion's tour continues to play to sold-out stadium audiences across Europe.

The programme has a massive audience, ranging from children to grandparents.

The first show attracted a television audience of more than 2 million.

For an advertiser who wants to reach a large audience, television news easily surpasses other news media.

They brought new fashions into their designs to appeal to a wider audience.

Messages posted on the Internet can attract a huge audience.

The game has an ever-increasing worldwide audience.

The programme mainly appeals to an older audience.

Radio brought entertainment to a mass audience.

(=all the people who watch or listen to a particular programme)

Nearly half the UK television audience watched the programme last Tuesday.

(=the type of people a programme etc aims to attract)

The target audience is mostly men aged 28 to 35.

a group of people who come to watch and listen to someone speaking or performing in public

The audience began clapping and cheering.

250名商界人士组成的观众

One [member of the audience](bold) described the opera as ‘boring’.

有一名观众说这出歌剧“乏味”。

the people who watch or listen to a particular programme, or who see or hear a particular artist’s, writer’s etc work

〔某节目的〕观众，听众；〔画家、作家等作品的〕观赏者，读者

The show attracts a regular audience of about 20 million.

这个节目吸引了大约两千万固定观众收看。

[target audience](bold)(=the type of people that a programme, advertisement etc is supposed to attract)

Goya was one of the first painters to look for [a wider audience](bold) for his work.

戈雅是最早为自己的作品寻找更多观赏者的画家之一。

The book is not intended for a purely academic audience.

本书不是面向纯学术读者的。

a formal meeting with a very important person

He was [granted](bold) an [audience](bold) with the Pope.


auditorium

ˌɔːdəˈtɔːriəm

[plural](italic) auditoriums or [plural](italic) auditoria /-riə/

the part of a theatre where people sit when watching a play, concert etc

a large building used for concerts or public meetings


augment

[augmentation](bold) /ˌɔːɡmenˈteɪʃ/ US /ˌɒːɡ-/  n. <C,U>

to increase the value, amount, effectiveness etc of something

Any surplus was sold to augment their income.

所有多余的东西被售卖一空来增加他们的收入。


August

[n](bold) <[C,U](bold)> written abbreviation: Aug.

the eighth month of the year, between July and September

新商店是8月6日开业的。

He arrived at Berwick on 6th August 1823.

1823年8月6日他来到贝里克。

我们8月6日等你打电话来。


aunt

the sister of your father or mother, or the wife of your father’s or mother’s brother

姑母；姨母；婶母；伯母；舅母


aura

a quality or feeling that seems to surround or come from a person or a place

The building retains an [aura of mystery](bold).

那幢建筑保留着一种神秘气氛。


austere

plain and simple and without any decoration

someone who is austere is very strict and serious – used to show disapproval

严肃的，严厉的〔含贬义〕

an austere way of life is very simple and has few things to make it comfortable or enjoyable

Cuthbert led an austere life of prayer and solitude.

卡斯伯特过着祈祷和独居的苦行生活。


authentic

done or made in the traditional or original way

a painting, document, book etc that is authentic has been proved to be by a particular person

In everyday English, people usually say that something is [real](bold)  or [the real thing](bold)  rather than [authentic](bold) :

How do you know if the picture is [the real thing](bold)?

used to describe a copy that is the same as, or as good as, the original

Actors dressed in authentic costumes re-enact the battle.

演员们穿着仿真的戏装重现了那次战役。


author

[authorial](bold) /ɔːˈθɔːriəl/ US /ɒː-/  adj. <only before noun>

The famous author Henry James lived here.

She is also a prolific author with more than 70 books published.

(=someone who writes articles for a newspaper or magazine, or who writes part of a book, report etc)

Ms Gomez was a contributing author to Chapter 1 of the WG II Report.

He was the author of two books on China.

他写过两本有关中国的书。

〔计划、主张的〕创始人，发起者


authoritarian

ɔːˌθɒrəˈteəriən◂

ɒːˌθɑːrəˈter-, əˌθɔː-

strictly forcing people to obey a set of rules or laws, especially ones that are wrong or unfair

Critics claim his management has become too authoritarian.

批评者称他的管理变得过于专制。


authoritative

ɔːˈθɒrətətɪv, ə-

ɒːˈθɑːrəteɪtɪv, əˈθɔː-

an authoritative book, account etc is respected because the person who wrote it knows a lot about the subject

权威性的，可信的，可靠的

the most authoritative work on English surnames

有关英语姓氏的最权威著作

behaving or speaking in a confident determined way that makes people respect and obey you

权威的，有威信的，威严的

He has a commanding presence and an authoritative voice.


authority

ɔːˈθɒrəti, ə-

ɒːˈθɑː-, əˈθɔː-

Teachers should have the authority to discipline their students.

In practice it’s very difficult for the president to exercise his authority.

He was one of those people who want to wield authority over others.

The mayor was accused of abusing his authority and taking bribes.

The new manager was anxious to establish her authority.

Robertson quickly stamped his authority on the team.

The State Department pressed him to take bolder steps to assert his authority.

He’s worried that he is losing his authority over the party.

I wasn’t trying to undermine your authority.

(=do more than you have the power or right to do)

A higher court decided that the judge had exceeded his authority.

(=try to take the power away from someone)

There had been no-one to really challenge his authority.

The manager has full authority to make decisions.

(=complete authority over everyone – used especially about the leader of a country)

In those days, the emperor had absolute authority.

The younger children are more likely to resist parental authority.

Their failure undermined governmental authority.

A number of constitutional amendments have increased presidential authority.

US agents have legal authority to bring criminals back from overseas.

I’ve never been in a position of authority before.

(=look like you have authority, in a way that makes people obey you)

The commander had an unmistakeable air of authority.

The leadership saw the demonstrations as a challenge to their authority.

(=someone, such as a parent or teacher, who has the power to tell young people what they can do)

The teacher is an authority figure, like the parent.

the power you have because of your official position

Only the president has the authority to declare war.

Several countries claim authority over the islands.

好几个国家声称拥有这些岛屿的主权。

I need to speak to someone in authority(=who has a position of power).

the people or organizations that are in charge of a particular country or area

〔国家或地区的〕当权者，当局，官方

an agreement between the US and Colombian authorities

美国和哥伦比亚当局的一份协议

an official organization or a government department that has the power to make decisions, and has particular responsibilities

Welsh [health authorities](bold) face a £13m deficit this year.

someone who knows a lot about a subject and whose knowledge and opinions are greatly respected

Mr Li is a [leading authority](bold) on Chinese food.

李先生是杰出的中式烹饪大师。

The attack took place under the authority of the UN Security Council.

这次进攻是在联合国安全理事会授权下进行的。

未经我的许可谁都不能进入。

someone who has a position of power, especially because of their job

teenage rebellion against authority figures

a quality in the way you speak or behave which makes people obey you

used to say that you are sure that something is true because you trust the person who told you about it

to be sure of what you are saying, because of your knowledge or experience


authorization

ˌɔːθəraɪˈzeɪʃən

BrE also: authorisation  [n](bold) <[C,U](bold)>

official permission to do something, or the document giving this permission

You need special authorization to park here.

在此停车要有特别的许可。

Children may not leave the building without the authorization of the principal.

没有校长的许可，孩子们不能离开这幢楼。


authorize

BrE also: authorise  [v](bold) <[T](bold)>

to give official permission for something

Napoleon III authorized Haussmann to rebuild Paris.

拿破仑三世授权奥斯曼重建巴黎。


autobiography

ˌɔːtəbaɪˈɒɡrəfi

ˌɒːtəbaɪˈɑː-

[autobiographical](bold) /ˌɔːtəbaɪəˈɡræfɪk/ US /ˌɒː-/  adj. eg: an autobiographical novel (=one based on the author’s own experiences)

a book in which someone writes about their own life, or books of this type


automatic

ˌɔːtəˈmætɪk◂

an automatic machine is designed to work without needing someone to operate it for each part of a process

something that is automatic always happens as a result of something you have done, especially because of a rule or law

〔根据规定或法律〕必然发生的，自动的

done without thinking, especially because you have done the same thing many times before

不自觉的，无意识的，不假思索的

Practise the breathing techniques until they become automatic.

练习这些呼吸技巧直到成为无意识的动作。


automatic

a weapon that can fire bullets continuously

a car with a system of gears that operate themselves without the driver needing to change them

自动变速汽车，自动换挡汽车


automatically

ˌɔːtəˈmætɪkli

as the result of a situation or action, and without you having to do anything more

Join now and you will automatically receive 50% off your first purchase.

现在加入，立即享受首次购物五折优惠。

without thinking about what you are doing

当然，我脱口而出说是的。

by the action of a machine, without a person making it work

The doors opened automatically as we approached.

我们走近时，门自动开了。


autonomous

an autonomous place or organization is free to govern or control itself

[an autonomous region/state/republic etc](bold)

Galicia is an autonomous region of Spain.

加利西亚是西班牙的一个自治区。

having the ability to work and make decisions by yourself without any help from anyone else


autonomy

freedom that a place or an organization has to govern or control itself

campaigners who want greater autonomy for Corsica

希望科西嘉有更多自治权的活动家

the ability or opportunity to make your own decisions without being controlled by anyone else

Teachers are given considerable individual autonomy.

教师被赋予相当大的个人自主权。


autumn

You use [in autumn](bold)  or [in the autumn](bold)  when saying that something happens at that time: In autumn the leaves turn red. She is planning to go back to college in the autumn.

You say [last autumn](bold) : They got married last autumn.
Don’t say: [They got married in last autumn.](strike)

You say [this autumn](bold) : The frost is early this autumn.
Don’t say: [The frost is early in this autumn.](strike)

You say [next autumn](bold) : The novel will be published next autumn.
Don’t say: [The novel will be published in next autumn.](strike)

You say [ that autumn](bold) : It was very stormy that autumn.
Don’t say: [It was very stormy in that autumn.](strike)

AmE also: [fall](bold)  [n](bold) <[C,U](bold)>

the season between summer and winter, when leaves change colour and the weather becomes cooler


availability

əˌveɪləˈbɪləti

əˌveɪləˈbɪləti

the state of being able to be used, bought, or found

Rooms are offered [subject to availability](bold)(=only if they are available).

the state of being able to do something because you have enough time

He has been asked about his availability to take part in the competition.

他被问到是否有时间参加这次比赛。