第一週

1.speciation (n.) an evolutionary process in which one species splits into two or more species

2.ditch (v.) to get rid of

She got bored with her boyfriend and ditched him.

3.harsh (adj.) causing a disagreeable or painful sensory reaction

The light is harsh.

4.string (n.) the gut, wire, or nylon cord of a musical instrument

Puppets are worked by strings.

5.underutilized (adj.) using something less effectively than it should be used

1.label (v.) to identify people by assigning them to a certain category

2.correlation (n.) a connection between two or more things, especially the influence one thing has on another

3.replicate (v.) to make or so something again in exactly the same way

4.foul (v.) to become or be foul

He was sent off for fouling the other team’s goalkeeper.

5.discipline (n.) a field of study

Learning poetry is a good discipline for the memory.

1. campaign (n.) a connected series of military operations forming a distinct phase of a war

She fought a successful election campaign.

2. fringe (v.) to furnish or adorn with a fringe

A line of trees fringed the pool.

3. criterion (n.) a standard that is used for judging something or for making a decision about something

4. oblige (v.) to constrain by physical, moral, or legal force or by the exigencies of circumstance

Could you oblige me with a match?

5. swift (adj.) moving or capable of moving with great speed

The President promised swift and effective retribution against the terrorists.

1. investment (n.) an outer layer

She made an investment in the new firm.

2. literally (adv.) in effect

She was literally blue with cold.

3. variation (n.) the act or process of varying : the state or fact of being varied

Because these clothes are handmade, there may be some variations in color.

4. fictional (adj.) belonging to fiction

He wrote a fictional account of a journey to the moon.

5. thesis (n.) the unstressed part of a poetic foot especially in accentual verse

I’m writing my thesis on Shakespeare’s use of metaphor.

1. spectacular (adj.) attracting attention or notice through unusual or conspicuous qualities

The new play was a spectacular success.

2. swarm (v.) to move or assemble in a crowd

She swarmed down the rope.

3. crevasse (n.) a breach in a levee

The dog fell into the crevasse.

4. obsession (n.) a persistent disturbing preoccupation with an often unreasonable idea or feeling

He has an unhealthy obsession with death.

5. perimeter (n.) a line or strip bounding or protecting an area

What is the perimeter of the circle?