ambiguity

ambiguity

noun [ C or U ]

UK  /ˌæm.bɪˈɡjuː.ə.ti/ US  /ˌæm.bɪˈɡjuː.ə.t̬i/

 

C2

(an example of) the fact of something having more than one possible meaning and therefore possibly causing confusion

模稜兩可，意義含糊不清

We wish to remove any ambiguity concerning our demands.

對於我們的要求，我們不希望有任何含糊其詞的地方。

There are some ambiguities in the legislation.

該法規中有一些含糊不清的地方。

 更多範例

There is some ambiguity in the Bible story, and it has been interpreted in different ways.

The law ought to be tightened to avoid any ambiguity.

Is he now saying that he's in favour of going to war? His statement is full of ambiguity.

Let me say this, to avoid any ambiguity, - I am not leaving my wife.

Be as precise as possible in your answer, so that there is no ambiguity.

ambiguous

adjective

UK  /æmˈbɪɡ.ju.əs/ US  /æmˈbɪɡ.ju.əs/

 

C2

having or expressing more than one possible meaning, sometimes intentionally

含糊不清的；引起歧義的，模棱兩可的；不明確的

His reply to my question was somewhat ambiguous.

他對我的提問回答得有些含糊不清。

The wording of the agreement is ambiguous.

該協議的措辭模棱兩可。

The government has been ambiguous on this issue.

在此問題上政府立場一直不明確。

 更多範例

The contract is phrased in a rather ambiguous way.

His attitude to environmental issues was sometimes quite ambiguous.

Legal experts claim that the law on this matter is ambiguous, and that the way the company interpreted it was reasonable.

What do you think the title really means? It's rather ambiguous, isn't it?

If you don't use the correct grammar the meaning can be a bit ambiguous and lead to confusion.

ambition

ambition

noun

UK  /æmˈbɪʃ.ən/ US  /æmˈbɪʃ.ən/

 

B1 [ C ]

a strong wish to achieve something

抱負；志向；雄心；野心

[ + to infinitive ] His ambition is ultimately to run his own business.

他的抱負是最終能夠經營自己的公司。

He has already achieved his main ambition in life - to become wealthy.

他已經實現了他人生最大的志向——發財致富。

political ambitions

政治抱負

She doubts whether she'll ever be able to fulfil her ambition.

究竟是否能夠實現自己的理想，她沒有把握。

I've always had a burning (= very great) ambition to be a film director.

我一直有一個遠大的志向，那就是做電影導演。

After his heart attack, he abandoned his ambition to become prime minister.

他心臟病發作以後，就放棄了要當首相的勃勃雄心。

 

B2 [ U ]

a strong wish to be successful, powerful, rich, etc.

抱負；志向；雄心；野心

She has a lot of ambition.

她很有抱負。

 更多範例

Her ambition and dogged determination ensured that she rose to the top of her profession.

We are looking for someone with drive and ambition.

Driving ambition is what most great leaders have in common.

Being here is the fulfilment of a lifelong ambition.

She finally achieved her ambition to visit South America.

ambivalent

 ambivalent 

adjective

UK  /æmˈbɪv.ə.lənt/ US  /æmˈbɪv.ə.lənt/

 

having two opposing feelings at the same time, or being uncertain about how you feel

（內心心情）矛盾的；模棱兩可的，含糊不定的

I felt very ambivalent about leaving home.

要離開家了，我心裡喜憂參半。

He has fairly ambivalent feelings towards his father.

他對父親的感情很矛盾。

an ambivalent attitude to exercise

既想鍛煉又怕吃苦的態度

ambivalence

noun [ U ] UK  /æmˈbɪv.ə.ləns/ US  /æmˈbɪv.ə.ləns/

 

the state of feeling of being ambivalent

矛盾心理

her ambivalence towards men

她對男性的矛盾心理

contradiction

noun [ C or U ]  (互斥)

UK  /ˌkɒn.trəˈdɪk.ʃən/ US  /ˌkɑːn.trəˈdɪk.ʃən/

 

C2

the fact of something being the complete opposite of something else or very different from something else, so that one of them must be wrong

矛盾

You say that you're good friends and yet you don't trust him. Isn't that a contradiction?

你說你們是好朋友，可你又不信任他。那不是有點矛盾嗎？

 a contradiction in terms

 

a combination of words that is nonsense because some of the words suggest the opposite of some of the others

用詞自相矛盾的話

Many people think that an honest politician is a contradiction in terms.

許多人認為「誠實的政客」在用詞上自相矛盾。

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accede

accede to sth

— phrasal verb with accede verb

UK  /əkˈsiːd/ US  /əkˈsiːd/

formal

 

to agree to do what people have asked you to do

同意，應允

He graciously acceded to our request.

他通情達理地同意了我們的請求。

It is doubtful whether the government will ever accede to the nationalists' demands for independence.

政府不太可能會同意民族主義者的獨立要求。

antecedent

noun [ C ]

UK  /ˌæn.tiˈsiː.dənt/ US  /ˌæn.t̬əˈsiː.dənt/

 

formal

someone or something existing or happening before, especially as the cause or origin of something existing or happening later

（尤指作為後來存在或發生之事的起因或起源的）前事，前情，先例；祖先

Charles Babbage's mechanical calculating engines were the antecedents of the modern computer.

查爾斯‧巴貝奇的機械電腦是現代電腦的前身。

Many people feel a great curiosity to find out about their antecedents.

很多人對於他們的祖先充滿了好奇，很想探究一番。

precede

precedence

precedence

noun [ U ]

UK  /ˈpres.ɪ.dəns/ US  /ˈpres.ə.dens/

 

the condition of being dealt with before other things or of being considered more important than other things

（時間、順序、重要程度等的）居前，領先

Precedence must be given to the injured in the evacuation plans.

在疏散計劃中應優先考慮傷者。

Business people often think that fluency and communication take precedence over grammar when speaking.

商界人士常認為說話的流利程度和表達能力比文法重要。

 

formal

the order of importance given to people in particular societies, groups, or organizations

地位先後，級別高低

The order of precedence for titled nobility in Britain is duke, marquis, earl, viscount, baron.

在英國有爵位的貴族級別依次為公爵、侯爵、伯爵、子爵和男爵。

recede

recede

verb [ I ]

UK  /rɪˈsiːd/ US  /rɪˈsiːd/

 

to move further away into the distance, or to become less clear or less bright

逐漸遠離；變得模糊，逐漸淡漠

As the boat picked up speed, the coastline receded into the distance until finally it became invisible.

船越開越快，海岸線漸漸遠去，直至最後從視線中消失。

The painful memories gradually receded in her mind.

痛苦的記憶逐漸在她腦海中變得淡漠了。

secede

 secede

verb [ I ]   formal

UK  /sɪˈsiːd/ US  /sɪˈsiːd/

 

to become independent of a country or area of government

退出，脫離（國家或政府）

There is likely to be civil war if the region tries to secede from the south.

如果該地區想脫離南方而獨立，很可能會爆發內戰。

 

 

conclude

conclude

verb

UK  /kənˈkluːd/ US  /kənˈkluːd/

conclude verb (FINISH)

 

C1 [ I or T ]

to end a speech, meeting, or piece of writing

（以…）結束（講話、會議、文章等）

She concluded the speech by reminding us of our responsibility.

她在演講結束時提醒我們所承擔的責任。

Before I conclude, I'd like to thank you all for coming.

在結束發言前，我想感謝諸位的光臨。

The concert concluded with a rousing chorus.

音樂會以激動人心的大合唱結束。

 

[ T ]

to complete an official agreement or task, or arrange a business deal

締結；達成；議定

 更多範例

It's difficult to guess what they will conclude from the evidence.

The report concluded that there was no evidence of collusive behaviour between the banks.

Judge Keenan concluded that the surveillance had been lawful.

The meeting concluded with a prayer.

The book concludes with a plea for a change in the law.

preclude

preclude

verb [ T ]   formal

UK  /prɪˈkluːd/ US  /prəˈkluːd/

 

to prevent something or make it impossible, or prevent someone from doing something

排除，防止，杜絕；阻礙

His contract precludes him from discussing his work with anyone outside the company.

合約中禁止他與公司外的人談論工作。

The fact that your application was not successful this time does not preclude the possibility of you applying again next time.

這次應徵失敗並不妨礙你下次再來應徵。

seclude

seclude

verb [ T ]

UK  /sɪˈkluːd/ US  /səˈkluːd/

 

to keep someone or something away from other people or things

使…不與…接觸

Typically, the bride would seclude herself in another room.

一般來說，新娘會把自己關在另一個房間裡。

 ========================================================

 

concur

concur

verb [ I ]   formal

UK  /kənˈkɜːr/ US  /kənˈkɝː/

-rr-

 

to agree or have the same opinion

同意，贊成；意見一致

The new report concurs with previous findings.

新報告與先前的調查結果一致。

[ + that ] The board concurred that the editor should have full control over editorial matters.

董事會贊同主編應該對編輯事務全權負責。

[ + speech ] "I think you're absolutely right," concurred Chris.

「我認爲你完全正確。」克裡斯贊同道。

cursory

cursory

adjective

UK  /ˈkɜː.sər.i/ US  /ˈkɝː.sɚ.i/

 

quick and probably not detailed

倉促的；草草的；粗略的

a cursory glance/look

匆匆一瞥

a cursory examination

粗略的檢查

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incursion

precursor

recurrent

 ============================

 

abdicate

diction

indict

indictment

 =========================

 

defer

deference

proffer

 

 ======================

 

dispel

imple

repellent

 ===========================

compose

compose

verb

UK  /kəmˈpəʊz/ US  /kəmˈpoʊz/

compose verb (PRODUCE ART)

 

B2 [ I or T ]

to produce music, poetry, or formal writing

作曲；創作（樂曲、詩歌）；著（書）

Prokofiev started composing at the age of five.

普羅高菲夫五歲就開始作曲了。

The music was specially composed for the film.

這音樂是專門為該電影創作的。

a piece of music composed for the flute

為長笛而譜寫的樂曲

He composed this poem for his wife.

他為妻子寫了這首詩。

formal My lawyer is going to compose a letter of complaint.

我的律師要擬寫一份投訴狀。

compose verb (FORM)

 be composed of sth

 

B2

to be formed from various things

由…組成，由…構成

Air is composed mainly of nitrogen and oxygen.

空氣主要由氮和氧組成。

The committee is composed of MPs, doctors, academics and members of the public.

委員會由議員、醫生、學者和普通民眾組成。

The audience was composed largely of young people.

觀眾中大部分都是年輕人。

 

[ T ]

to be the parts that something is made of

組成，構成

At that time, women composed only 1.6 percent of the US forces.

那個時期，美軍中的女性只佔1.6%的比例。

compose verb (BECOME CALM)

 compose yourself

 

to make yourself calm again after being angry or upset

使自己鎮定；使自己平靜下來

She finally stopped crying and composed herself.

她終於停止哭泣，安靜了下來。

 compose your features/thoughts

 

to try to make yourself look or feel calm after being angry or upset

使表情（或思緒等）鎮定

I tried to compose my features into a smile.

我極力使表情平靜下來，露出一絲微笑。

He took a minute or two to compose his thoughts before he replied.

他用一兩分鐘平靜了思緒後才作出回答。

 

compose verb (ARRANGE TEXT)

 

[ T ]   PUBLISHING   specialized

to arrange words, sentences, pages, etc. in preparation for printing

排版

文法

Consist, comprise or compose?

Consist, comprise and compose are all verbs used to describe what something is ‘made of’. We don’t use them in continuous forms.

depose

depose

verb [ T ]

UK  /dɪˈpəʊz/ US  /dɪˈpoʊz/

 

to remove someone important from a powerful position

罷免，使免職，使下臺

Gingrich was deposed as Speaker of the House after the election in 1998.

1998年大選後，金裡奇被免去了眾議院議長的職務。

King Charles I was deposed from the English throne in 1646.

1646年英王查理一世被廢黜。

expose

expose

verb [ T ]

UK  /ɪkˈspəʊz/ US  /ɪkˈspoʊz/

expose verb [T] (UNCOVER)

 

to remove what is covering something so that it can be seen

暴露；露出；使曝光

The plaster on the walls has been removed to expose the original bricks underneath.

impose

 impose

verb

UK  /ɪmˈpəʊz/ US  /ɪmˈpoʊz/

impose verb (FORCE)

 

C1 [ T ]

to officially force a rule, tax, punishment, etc. to be obeyed or received

推行；強制實行

Very high taxes have recently been imposed on cigarettes.

最近對香煙開徵很高的稅。

Judges are imposing increasingly heavy fines for minor driving offences.

法官對輕微的違規駕駛開始處以越來越重的罰款。

 =======================================

compression

expressly

oppress

suooress

 

 ==========================================

convertible

noun [ C ]

UK  /kənˈvɜː.tə.bəl/ US  /kənˈvɝː.t̬ə.bəl/

(also soft top)

 

a car with a soft roof that can be folded back

敞篷轎車

a Volkswagen convertible

convertible

adjective

UK  /kənˈvɜː.tə.bəl/ US  /kənˈvɝː.t̬ə.bəl/

 

able to be arranged in a different way and used for a different purpose

可改變的，可轉變的

a convertible sofa bed

折疊沙發床

 

FINANCE & ECONOMICS   specialized

used to refer to a type of money that can be easily exchanged into other types of money

（貨幣）可兌換的

a convertible currency/bond

可兌換貨幣／債券

extrovert

extrovert

noun [ C ] (also extravert)

UK  /ˈek.strə.vɜːt/ US  /ˈek.strə.vɝːt/

 

C1

an energetic happy person who enjoys being with other people

性格外向的人

Most sales people are extroverts.

大多數推銷員都是性格外向的人。

inadvertent

inadvertent

adjective

UK  /ˌɪn.ədˈvɜː.tənt/ US  /ˌɪn.ədˈvɝː.t̬ənt/

 

not intentional

非故意的，無意的

All authors need to be wary of inadvertent copying of other people's ideas.

所有作者都需注意不要在無意中抄襲了他人的觀點。

inadvertently

adverb UK  /ˌɪn.ədˈvɜː.tənt.li/ /ˌɪn.ədˈvɝː.t̬ənt.li/

 

not intentionally

非故意地，無意地

He inadvertently deleted the file.

他不小心把檔案刪除了。

invert

invert

verb [ T ]   formal

UK  /ɪnˈvɜːt/ US  /ɪnˈvɝːt/

 

to turn something upside down or change the order of two things

使倒置；使顛倒

In some languages, the word order in questions is inverted (= the verb comes before the subject of the sentence).

在一些語言裡，疑問句的詞序是顛倒的。

pervert

revert

revert

verb

UK  /rɪˈvɜːt/ US  /rɪˈvɝːt/

 

[ I ] Indian English

to reply

回復

Please revert by email.

請通過電子郵件回復。

subvert

verb [ T ]   formal

UK  /səbˈvɜːt/ US  /səbˈvɝːt/

 

to try to destroy or damage something, especially an established political system

破壞，動搖，顛覆 推翻（尤指已有的政治體制）

The rebel army is attempting to subvert the government.

叛軍試圖推翻政府。

Our best intentions are sometimes subverted by our natural tendency to selfishness.

我們的良好意圖有時會被自私的本性破壞。