When words have multiple levels of meaning, it is important to look for the shared basic meaning or core meaning, among the levels.
note: Chinese interpretation is not always precise to the English meaning, so try to learn English in English.
Metaphor in On Turning Ten
all the dark blue speed drained out of it: in the evening
as I walk through the universe in my sneakers: stand for childhood imagery
there was nothing under my skin but light: stand for growing up,
knowledge
But now when I fall upon the sidewalks of life: stand for difficulties
Prefix
in-: into, near, toward
inject, inrush, indoor
dis-: not, away, apart
discourage, disenable, disease
uni-, mono-: one
unique, monochroic, unicode
bi-: two
bicycle, biangular, biaxial
tri-: three
triangle, triarchy, triathlon
dec(a)-: ten
decade, decagon, decameter
cent(i)-: one hundred
centimeter, centile, centipoise
milli-: one thousand
million, millionaire, millicurie
Root
ann, enn: year
annual, biennial, anniversery
Suffix
-eer: doer, device for
pioneer, auctioneer, mountaineer
Idiom
look forward to (+ Ving) : used at the end of a formal letter to say you hope to hear from or see someone soon, or that you expect something from them
I look forward to hearing from you.
take part in: to be involved in something with other people
Most of the board members took part in the discussions.
in sum: used at the end of a report or discussion before giving a short description of the main ideas or facts
We're looking, in sum, for a major player who believes in newspapers as a serious business.
Confer
predict/forecast/anticipate
predict: to say what you think will happen in the future
forecast: a statement of what is judged likely to happen in the future, based on information you have now
anticipate: to imagine or expect that something will happen
senior/senile
senior: used after a man's name to refer to the older of two people in the same family who have the same name
senile: showing poor mental ability because of old age, especially being unable to think clearly and make decisions
Words of the day
3/28
1. discipline [n.] /ˈdɪsɪplɪn/
definition: The practice of training people to obey rules or a code of behaviour, using punishment to correct disobedience
origin: Middle English (in the sense 'mortification by scourging oneself'): via Old French from Latin disciplina 'instruction, knowledge', from discipulus
sentence: In 1923 parliament began to revise the code of military discipline.
part of speech: disciplinable [adj.] disciplinal [adj.]
2. dismiss [v.] /dɪsˈmɪs/
definition: Order or allow to leave; send away
origin: late Middle English: from medieval Latin dismiss-, variant of Latin dimiss- 'sent away', from the verb dimittere.
sentence: She dismissed the taxi at the corner of the road.
part of speech: dismissible [adj.]
3. divide [v.] /dɪˈvʌɪd/
definition: Separate or be separated into parts
origin: Middle English (as a verb): from Latin dividere 'force apart, remove'. The noun dates from the mid 17th century.
sentence: Consumer magazines can be divided into a number of categories.
phrase: divided against itself: (Of a group which should be coherent) split by factional interests
4. dominate [v.] /ˈdɒmɪneɪt/
definition: Have power and influence over
origin: early 17th century: from Latin dominat- 'ruled, governed', from the verb dominari, from dominus 'lord, master'.
sentence: The company dominates the market for operating system software.
part of speech: dominator [n.]
5. draft [v.] /drɑːft/
definition: Prepare a preliminary version of (a document)
origin: mid 16th century: phonetic spelling of draught.
sentence: I drafted a letter of resignation.
part of speech: drafter [n.]
3/31
1. dull [adj.] /dʌl/
definition: Lacking interest or excitement
origin: Old English dol 'stupid', of Germanic origin; related to Dutch dol 'crazy' and German toll 'mad, fantastic, wonderful'.
sentence: Your diet doesn’t have to be dull and boring.
part of speech: dullish [adj.] dullness [n.] dully [adv.]
phrase: dull the edge of: Cause to be less keenly felt; reduce the intensity of
2. dump [v.] /dʌmp/
definition: Deposit or dispose of (rubbish, waste, or unwanted material), typically in a careless or hurried way
origin: Middle English: perhaps from Old Norse; related to Danish dumpe and Norwegian dumpa 'fall suddenly' (the original sense in English); in later use partly imitative; compare with thump.
sentence: Trucks dumped 1,900 tons of refuse here.
phrase: dump on: Criticize or abuse (someone); treat badly
3. equivalent [adj.] /ɪˈkwɪv(ə)l(ə)nt/
definition: Equal in value, amount, function, meaning, etc.
origin: late Middle English (describing persons who were equal in power or rank): via Old French from late Latin aequivalent- 'being of equal worth', from the verb aequivalere, from aequi- 'equally' + valere 'be worth'.
sentence: One unit is equivalent to one glass of wine.
part of speech: equivalently [adv.]
4. recipient [n.] /rɪˈsɪpɪənt/
definition: A person or thing that receives or is awarded something
origin: mid 16th century: from Latin recipient- 'receiving', from the verb recipere.
sentence: They are the recipients of Smart awards from the Department of Trade and Industry.
part of speech: recipiency [n.]
5. interrupt [v.] /ɪntəˈrʌpt/
definition: Stop the continuous progress of (an activity or process)
origin: late Middle English: from Latin interrupt- 'broken, interrupted', from the verb interrumpere, from inter- 'between' + rumpere 'to break'.
sentence: The buzzer interrupted his thoughts.
part of speech: interruptible [adj.] interruptive [adj.]
4/1
1. dispatch [v.] /dɪˈspatʃ/
definition: Send off to a destination or for a purpose
origin: early 16th century: from Italian dispacciare or Spanish despachar 'expedite', from dis-, des- (expressing reversal) + the base of Italian impacciare, Spanish empachar 'hinder'.
sentence: He dispatched messages back to base.
part of speech: dispatcher [n.]
2. slump [v.] /slʌmp/
definition: Sit, lean, or fall heavily and limply
origin: late 17th century (in the sense 'fall into a bog'): probably imitative and related to Norwegian slumpe 'to fall'.
sentence: She slumped against the cushions.
part of speech: slumpy [adj.]
3. resistance [n.] /rɪˈzɪst(ə)ns/
definition: The refusal to accept or comply with something
origin: late Middle English: from French résistance, from late Latin resistentia, from the verb resistere 'hold back'
sentence: They displayed a narrow-minded resistance to change.
phrase: the line (or path) of least resistance: The easiest course of action
4. ritual [adj.] /ˈrɪtʃʊəl/
definition: Relating to or done as a religious or solemn rite
origin: late 16th century (as an adjective): from Latin ritualis, from ritus
sentence: Tantra set out ritual practices, religious proscriptions, yogic techniques, and philosophical doctrine.
part of speech: ritually [adv.]
5. solemn [adj.] /ˈsɒləm/
definition: Formal and dignified
origin: Middle English (in the sense 'associated with religious rites'): from Old French solemne, from Latin sollemnis 'customary, celebrated at a fixed date', from sollus 'entire'.
sentence: The funeral procession was solemn but lofty, as befit the prince.
part of speech: solemnly [adv.] solemnness [n.]
3/28
1. discipline [n.] /ˈdɪsɪplɪn/
definition: The practice of training people to obey rules or a code of behaviour, using punishment to correct disobedience
origin: Middle English (in the sense 'mortification by scourging oneself'): via Old French from Latin disciplina 'instruction, knowledge', from discipulus
sentence: In 1923 parliament began to revise the code of military discipline.
part of speech: disciplinable [adj.] disciplinal [adj.]
2. dismiss [v.] /dɪsˈmɪs/
definition: Order or allow to leave; send away
origin: late Middle English: from medieval Latin dismiss-, variant of Latin dimiss- 'sent away', from the verb dimittere.
sentence: She dismissed the taxi at the corner of the road.
part of speech: dismissible [adj.]
3. divide [v.] /dɪˈvʌɪd/
definition: Separate or be separated into parts
origin: Middle English (as a verb): from Latin dividere 'force apart, remove'. The noun dates from the mid 17th century.
sentence: Consumer magazines can be divided into a number of categories.
phrase: divided against itself: (Of a group which should be coherent) split by factional interests
4. dominate [v.] /ˈdɒmɪneɪt/
definition: Have power and influence over
origin: early 17th century: from Latin dominat- 'ruled, governed', from the verb dominari, from dominus 'lord, master'.
sentence: The company dominates the market for operating system software.
part of speech: dominator [n.]
5. draft [v.] /drɑːft/
definition: Prepare a preliminary version of (a document)
origin: mid 16th century: phonetic spelling of draught.
sentence: I drafted a letter of resignation.
part of speech: drafter [n.]
3/31
1. dull [adj.] /dʌl/
definition: Lacking interest or excitement
origin: Old English dol 'stupid', of Germanic origin; related to Dutch dol 'crazy' and German toll 'mad, fantastic, wonderful'.
sentence: Your diet doesn’t have to be dull and boring.
part of speech: dullish [adj.] dullness [n.] dully [adv.]
phrase: dull the edge of: Cause to be less keenly felt; reduce the intensity of
2. dump [v.] /dʌmp/
definition: Deposit or dispose of (rubbish, waste, or unwanted material), typically in a careless or hurried way
origin: Middle English: perhaps from Old Norse; related to Danish dumpe and Norwegian dumpa 'fall suddenly' (the original sense in English); in later use partly imitative; compare with thump.
sentence: Trucks dumped 1,900 tons of refuse here.
phrase: dump on: Criticize or abuse (someone); treat badly
3. equivalent [adj.] /ɪˈkwɪv(ə)l(ə)nt/
definition: Equal in value, amount, function, meaning, etc.
origin: late Middle English (describing persons who were equal in power or rank): via Old French from late Latin aequivalent- 'being of equal worth', from the verb aequivalere, from aequi- 'equally' + valere 'be worth'.
sentence: One unit is equivalent to one glass of wine.
part of speech: equivalently [adv.]
4. recipient [n.] /rɪˈsɪpɪənt/
definition: A person or thing that receives or is awarded something
origin: mid 16th century: from Latin recipient- 'receiving', from the verb recipere.
sentence: They are the recipients of Smart awards from the Department of Trade and Industry.
part of speech: recipiency [n.]
5. interrupt [v.] /ɪntəˈrʌpt/
definition: Stop the continuous progress of (an activity or process)
origin: late Middle English: from Latin interrupt- 'broken, interrupted', from the verb interrumpere, from inter- 'between' + rumpere 'to break'.
sentence: The buzzer interrupted his thoughts.
part of speech: interruptible [adj.] interruptive [adj.]
4/1
1. dispatch [v.] /dɪˈspatʃ/
definition: Send off to a destination or for a purpose
origin: early 16th century: from Italian dispacciare or Spanish despachar 'expedite', from dis-, des- (expressing reversal) + the base of Italian impacciare, Spanish empachar 'hinder'.
sentence: He dispatched messages back to base.
part of speech: dispatcher [n.]
2. slump [v.] /slʌmp/
definition: Sit, lean, or fall heavily and limply
origin: late 17th century (in the sense 'fall into a bog'): probably imitative and related to Norwegian slumpe 'to fall'.
sentence: She slumped against the cushions.
part of speech: slumpy [adj.]
3. resistance [n.] /rɪˈzɪst(ə)ns/
definition: The refusal to accept or comply with something
origin: late Middle English: from French résistance, from late Latin resistentia, from the verb resistere 'hold back'
sentence: They displayed a narrow-minded resistance to change.
phrase: the line (or path) of least resistance: The easiest course of action
4. ritual [adj.] /ˈrɪtʃʊəl/
definition: Relating to or done as a religious or solemn rite
origin: late 16th century (as an adjective): from Latin ritualis, from ritus
sentence: Tantra set out ritual practices, religious proscriptions, yogic techniques, and philosophical doctrine.
part of speech: ritually [adv.]
5. solemn [adj.] /ˈsɒləm/
definition: Formal and dignified
origin: Middle English (in the sense 'associated with religious rites'): from Old French solemne, from Latin sollemnis 'customary, celebrated at a fixed date', from sollus 'entire'.
sentence: The funeral procession was solemn but lofty, as befit the prince.
part of speech: solemnly [adv.] solemnness [n.]
4/2
1. contradiction [n.] /kɒntrəˈdɪkʃ(ə)n/
definition: A combination of statements, ideas, or features which are opposed to one another
origin: late Middle English: via Old French from Latin contradictio(n-), from the verb contradicere
sentence: The proposed new system suffers from a set of internal contradictions.
phrase: contradiction in terms: A statement or group of words associating incompatible objects or ideas
2. indulge [v.] /ɪnˈdʌldʒ/
definition: Allow oneself to enjoy the pleasure of
origin: early 17th century (in the sense 'treat with excessive kindness'): from Latin indulgere 'give free rein to'.
sentence: Their inability to retain possession allowed Rangers to indulge in the passing game they enjoy.
part of speech: indulger [n.]
3. deprive [v.] /dɪˈprʌɪv/
definition: Prevent (a person or place) from having or using something
origin: Middle English (in the sense 'depose from office'): from Old French depriver, from medieval Latin deprivare, from de- 'away, completely' + privare
sentence: It's unfortunate we are continually deprived of our potential benefits for residents.
part of speech: deprival [n.]
4. radical [adj.] /ˈradɪk(ə)l/
definition: (Especially of change or action) relating to or affecting the fundamental nature of something; far-reaching or thorough
origin: late Middle English (in the senses 'forming the root' and 'inherent'): from late Latin radicalis, from Latin radix, radic- 'root'.
sentence: Both groups would be affected by a radical change in the business climate.
part of speech: radicalism [n.] radically [adv.] radicalness [n.]
5. aloof [adj.] /əˈluːf/
definition: Not friendly or forthcoming; cool and distant
origin: mid 16th century: from a-2 (expressing direction) + luff. The term was originally an adverb in nautical use, meaning 'away and to windward!', i.e. with the ship's head kept close to the wind away from a lee shore etc. towards which it might drift. From this arose the sense 'at a distance'.
sentence: They were courteous but faintly aloof.
part of speech: aloofly [adv.] aloofness [n.]
4/3
1. crust [v.] /krʌst/
definition: Form into a hard outer layer
origin: Middle English: from Old French crouste, from Latin crusta 'rind, shell, crust'.
sentence: The blisters eventually crust over.
part of speech: crustal [adj.]
2. witty [adj.] /ˈwɪti/
definition: Showing or characterized by quick and inventive verbal humour
origin: Old English wit(t)ig 'having wisdom'
sentence: Marlowe was charming and witty.
part of speech: wittily [adv.] wittiness [n.]
3. regal [adj.] /ˈriːg(ə)l/
definition: Of, resembling, or fit for a monarch, especially in being magnificent or dignified
origin: late Middle English: from Old French, or from Latin regalis, from rex, reg- 'king'.
sentence: Considered a symbol of regal authority, the dragon was also thought to dispel evil spirits.
part of speech: regally [adv.]
4. detach [v.] /dɪˈtatʃ/
definition: Disengage (something or part of something) and remove it
origin: late 16th century (in the sense 'discharge a gun'): from French détacher, earlier destacher, from des- (expressing reversal) + attacher 'attach'.
sentence: He detached the front lamp from its bracket.
part of speech: detachability [n.] detachable [adj]
5. compensate [v.] /ˈkɒmpɛnseɪt/
definition: Give (someone) something, typically money, in recognition of loss, suffering, or injury incurred; recompense
origin: mid 17th century (in the sense 'counterbalance'): from Latin compensat- 'weighed against', from the verb compensare, from com- 'together' + pensare (frequentative of pendere 'weigh').
sentence: Payments were made to farmers to compensate them for cuts in subsidies.
part of speech: compensative [adj.] compensator [n.]
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