2013-4-16 Flashcards
inspiration
in•spir•ation /ˌɪnspəˈreɪʃn/ noun
1 [U] ~ (to do sth) | ~ (for sth) the process that takes place when sb sees or hears sth that causes them to have exciting new ideas or makes them want to create sth, especially in art, music or literature 灵感:
Dreams can be a rich source of inspiration for an artist. 梦境可以成为艺术家灵感的丰富源泉。
Both poets drew their inspiration from the countryside. 两位诗人都是从乡村得到他们的灵感。
Looking for inspiration for a new dessert? Try this recipe. 正在寻找制作新式甜食的灵感吗？试试这份食谱吧。
2 [C, usually sing.] ~ (for sth) a person or thing that is the reason why sb creates or does sth 启发灵感的人（或事物）；使人产生动机的人（或事物）:
He says my sister was the inspiration for his heroine. 他说我姐姐是他的女主人公的原型。
Clark was the inspiration behind Saturday’s victory. 克拉克是星期六的胜利的灵魂。
3 [C, usually sing.] ~ (to/for sb) a person or thing that makes you want to be better, more successful, etc. 鼓舞人心的人（或事物）:
Her charity work is an inspiration to us all. 她的慈善工作激励着我们大家。
4 [C, usually sing., U] a sudden good idea （突然想到的）好主意，妙计:
He had an inspiration: he’d give her a dog for her birthday. 他突然想到一个好主意，他要送她一条狗作为生日礼物。
It came to me in a flash of inspiration. 那是我灵机一动想到的。
disguise
dis•guise /dɪsˈgaɪz/ verb, noun
■verb [VN]
1 ~ sb (as sb/sth) to change your appearance so that people cannot recognize you 假扮；装扮；伪装:
The hijackers were heavily disguised. 劫持者伪装得严严实实。
She disguised herself as a boy. 她女扮男装。
They got in disguised as security guards. 他们装扮成保安人员混了进去。
2 to hide sth or change it, so that it cannot be recognized 掩蔽；掩饰 SYN CONCEAL :
She made no attempt to disguise her surprise. 她没有掩饰自己惊奇的心情。
It was a thinly disguised attack on the President. 明眼人一下就能看出这是在攻击总统。
She couldn’t disguise the fact that she felt uncomfortable. 她无法掩饰她那不安的心情。
➡ note at HIDE
■noun
1 [C, U] a thing that you wear or use to change your appearance so that people do not recognize you 伪装物；化装用具:
She wore glasses and a wig as a disguise. 她用眼镜和假发伪装起来。
The star travelled in disguise (= wearing a disguise ). 这位明星化了装去旅行。
(figurative)
A vote for the Liberal Democrats is just a Labour vote in disguise. 投自由民主党的票不过是改头换面投工党的票。
2 [U] the art of changing your appearance so that people do not recognize you 假扮；装扮；伪装:
He is a master of disguise. 他是伪装能手。
IDM see BLESSING
perspiration
per•spir•ation /ˌpɜ:spəˈreɪʃn; NAmE ˌpɜ:rs-/ noun [U]
1 drops of liquid that form on your skin when you are hot 汗；汗珠 SYN SWEAT :
Beads of perspiration stood out on his forehead. 他的前额上挂着汗珠。
Her skin was damp with perspiration. 她的皮肤上汗津津的。
2 the act of perspiring 排汗；出汗:
Perspiration cools the skin in hot weather. 热天出汗可使皮肤降温。
chap
chap /tʃæp/ noun (BrE, informal, becoming old-fashioned)
used to talk about a man in a friendly way （对男子的友好称呼）家伙，伙计
He isn’t such a bad chap really. 他这个家伙并不真的这么坏。
mishap
mis•hap /ˈmɪshæp/ noun [C, U]
a small accident or piece of bad luck that does not have serious results 小事故；晦气:
a slight mishap 小小的不幸
a series of mishaps 一连串的倒霉事
I managed to get home without (further) mishap. 我总算平安回到了家。
limerick
lim•er•ick /ˈlɪmərɪk/ noun
a humorous short poem, with two long lines that RHYME with each other, followed by two short lines that rhyme with each other and ending with a long line that rhymes with the first two 五行打油诗（幽默短诗，起始两长句押韵，中间两短句押韵，最后一长句与开头两句押韵）
crap
crap /kræp/ noun, adj., verb
■noun (taboo, slang)
1 [U] nonsense 废话；胡说；胡扯:
He’s so full of crap. 他净胡说八道。
Let’s cut the crap and get down to business. 咱们别说废话了，开始干正事吧。
(BrE)
You’re talking a load of crap! 你这是一派胡言！
(NAmE)
What a bunch of crap! 真是废话连篇！
2 [U] something of bad quality 质量差的东西；蹩脚货:
This work is complete crap. 这件作品蹩脚透顶。
(BrE)
Her latest film is a load of crap. 她最近的一部电影很糟糕。
(NAmE)
Her latest movie is a bunch of crap. 她最近的一部电影很糟糕。
HELP More acceptable words are rubbish, garbage, trash or junk. 更常用的词有 rubbish、garbage、trash 或 junk。
3 [U] criticism or unfair treatment 批评；非难；不公正的待遇:
I’m not going to take this crap any more. 我再也不受这种委屈了。
4 [U] solid waste matter from the BOWELS SYN EXCREMENT 屎
5 [sing.] an act of emptying solid waste matter from the BOWELS 拉屎:
to have a crap 拉屎
■adj. (BrE, taboo, slang) bad; of very bad quality 坏的；糟糕的；劣质的:
a crap band 很差劲的乐队
The concert was crap. 那场音乐会演得很差。
# crap adv. :
The team played crap yesterday. 这个队昨天的表现很差劲。
■verb (-pp-) [V] (taboo, slang) to empty solid waste from the BOWELS 拉屎 SYN DEFECATE
HELP A more polite way of expressing this is ‘to go to the toilet/lavatory’ ( BrE), ‘to go to the bathroom’ ( NAmE), or ‘to go’. A more formal expression is ‘to empty the bowels’. 比较有礼貌的表达方式为 to go to the toilet/lavatory （英国英语）、to go to the bathroom （北美英语）或 to go。比较正式的表达方式为 to empty the bowels。
Enough with this limerick crap.
maverick
mav•er•ick /ˈmævərɪk/ noun
a person who does not behave or think like everyone else, but who has independent, unusual opinions 持不同意见者；独行其是者；言行与众不同者
# mav•er•ick adj. [only before noun]
a maverick film director 独行其是的电影导演
maven
maven /ˈmeɪvn/ noun (NAmE)
an expert on sth 专家；内行
CMU
Carnegie Mellon University
episode
epi•sode /ˈepɪsəʊd; NAmE -soʊd/ noun
1 an event, a situation, or a period of time in sb’s life, a novel, etc. that is important or interesting in some way （人生的）一段经历；（小说的）片段，插曲 SYN INCIDENT :
I’d like to try and forget the whole episode. 我倒想尽量把那段经历全部忘掉。
One of the funniest episodes in the book occurs in Chapter 6. 书中最有趣的片段之一在第 6 章。
2 one part of a story that is broadcast on television or radio in several parts （电视连续剧或无线电广播小说的）一集
episodic
epi•sod•ic /ˌepɪˈsɒdɪk; NAmE -ˈsɑ:d-/ adj. (formal)
1 happening occasionally and not at regular intervals 偶尔发生的；不定期的
2 (of a story, etc. 故事等) containing or consisting of many separate and different events 由松散片段组成的；有许多片段的:
My memories of childhood are hazy and episodic. 我儿时的回忆是一些朦朦胧胧的松散片段。
intrusion
in•tru•sion /ɪnˈtru:ʒn/ noun [U, C] ~ (into/on/upon sth)
1 something that affects a situation or people’s lives in a way that they do not want 侵扰性的事物；扰乱；侵犯:
They claim the noise from the new airport is an intrusion on their lives. 他们声称新机场的噪音侵扰了他们的生活。
This was another example of press intrusion into the affairs of the royals. 这是新闻界侵扰王室成员私事的又一实例。
2 the act of entering a place which is private or where you may not be wanted 闯入；侵入:
She apologized for the intrusion but said she had an urgent message. 她对迳自闯进来表示道歉，但说她有紧急消息。
water intrusion 进水了
intrusive
in•tru•sive /ɪnˈtru:sɪv/ adj.
1 too noticeable, direct, etc. in a way that is disturbing or annoying 侵入的；闯入的；侵扰的；烦扰的:
intrusive questions 唐突的问题
The constant presence of the media was very intrusive. 媒体一直在场十分令人讨厌。
2 (phonetics 语音) (of a speech sound 语音) produced in order to link two words together when speaking, for example the /r/ sound produced at the end of lawby some English speakers in the phrase ‘law and order’. Intrusive ‘r’ is not considered part of standard English. 添加的；插入的
bonus
bonus /ˈbəʊnəs; NAmE ˈboʊ-/ noun (pl. -es)
1 an extra amount of money that is added to a payment, especially to sb’s wages as a reward 津贴；奖金；红利:
a £100 Christmas bonus * 100 英镑圣诞节奖金
productivity bonuses 生产奖金
2 anything pleasant that is extra and more or better than you were expecting 意外收获:
Being able to walk to work is an added bonus of the new job. 能够步行去上班是这份新工作额外的好处。
➡ see also NO-CLAIMS BONUS
supremacy
su•prem•acy /su:ˈpreməsi; BrE also sju:-/ noun [U] ~ (over sb/sth)
a position in which you have more power, authority or status than anyone else 至高无上；最大权力；最高权威；最高地位:
the battle for supremacy in the region 争夺地区霸权的较量
the dangerous notion of white supremacy (= that white races are better than others and should control them) 危险的白人至上观念
The company has established total supremacy over its rivals. 公司奠定了对竞争对手的绝对优势。
subtract
sub•tract /səbˈtrækt/ verb ~ sth (from sth)
to take a number or an amount away from another number or amount 减；减去
SYN TAKE AWAY : [VN]
6 subtracted from 9 is 3. * 9 减 6 等于 3。
[also V] OPP ADD
# sub•trac•tion /səbˈtrækʃn/ noun [U, C] ➡ compare ADDITION (1)
arouse
arouse /əˈraʊz/ verb [VN]
1 to make sb have a particular feeling or attitude 激起，引起（感情、态度）:
to arouse sb’s interest/curiosity/anger 引起某人的兴趣╱好奇心╱怒气
Her strange behaviour aroused our suspicions. 她的古怪行为引起了我们的怀疑。
2 to make sb feel sexually excited 激起性欲
SYN EXCITE
3 to make you feel more active and want to start doing sth 使行动起来；激发:
The whole community was aroused by the crime. 这个罪行使整个社会行动起来。
4 ~ sb (from sth) (formal) to wake sb from sleep 唤醒
➡ see also ROUSE
# arousal /əˈraʊzl/ noun [U] :
emotional/sexual arousal 情绪激动；性冲动
goose
goose /gu:s/ noun, verb
■noun (pl. geese /gi:s/)
1 [C] a bird like a large DUCK with a long neck. Geese either live wild or are kept on farms. 鹅 ➡ picture at DUCK
2 [U] meat from a goose 鹅肉:
roast goose 烤鹅
3 [C] a female goose 雌鹅 ➡ compare GANDER
4 [C] (old-fashioned, informal) a silly person 傻瓜；笨蛋
➡ see also WILD GOOSE CHASE IDM see COOK v. , KILL v. , SAUCE , SAY v.
■verb [VN] (informal)
1 to touch or squeeze sb’s bottom 触摸（或捏）某人的臀部
2 ~ sth (along/up) (NAmE) to make sth move or work faster 推动；促进；激励
stir
Çstir /stɜ:(r)/ verb, noun
■verb (-rr-) MIX 使混合
1 [VN] ~ sth (into sth) | ~ sth (in) to move a liquid or substance around, using a spoon or sth similar, in order to mix it thoroughly 搅动；搅和；搅拌:
She stirred her tea. 她搅了搅茶。
The vegetables are stirred into the rice while it is hot. 趁米饭热时把蔬菜拌进去。
Stir in the milk until the sauce thickens. 把牛奶搅进去，直到酱汁变稠为止。
➡ note at MIX
MOVE 移动
2 to move, or to make sth move, slightly （使）微动: [V]
She heard the baby stir in the next room. 她听见婴儿在隔壁动弹。
[VN]
A slight breeze was stirring the branches. 微风吹动着树枝。
A noise stirred me from sleep. 响声把我从睡梦中惊醒。
3 to move, or to make sb move, in order to do sth （使）行动，活动: [V]
You haven’t stirred from that chair all evening! 你坐在那把椅子上一晚上没动了！
[VN]
Come on, stir yourself. You’re late! 快，快走吧。你要迟到了！
Their complaints have finally stirred him into action. 他们的抱怨最终促使他采取了行动。
FEELINGS 感觉
4 [VN] ~ sb (to sth) to make sb excited or make them feel sth strongly 打动；激发:
a book that really stirs the imagination 很能激发人的想象力的书
She was stirred by his sad story. 他那悲惨的故事打动了她。
5 [V] (of a feeling or a mood 感情或情绪) to begin to be felt 开始感到；逐渐产生；萌动；被唤起:
A feeling of guilt began to stir in her. 她心里渐渐生出了内疚感。
CAUSE TROUBLE 引起麻烦
6 (BrE, informal, disapproving) to try to cause trouble 拨弄是非: [VN]
You’re just stirring it! 你这不是搬弄是非吗！
[also V] ➡ see also STIRRER
IDM stir the ˈblood to make sb excited 使人兴奋；激起热情
stir your ˈstumps (old-fashioned, BrE, informal) to begin to move; to hurry 起身走；赶快
PHR V ˌstir sboˈup to encourage sb to do sth; to make sb feel they must do sth 激励；鼓动
ˌstir sthoˈup
1 to make people feel strong emotions 激起（感情）:
to stir up hatred 激起仇恨
2 to try to cause arguments or problems 挑起，煽动（争执或事端）:
to stir up a debate 挑起争论
Whenever he’s around, he always manages to stir up trouble. 什么时候只要有他在，他就总要挑起点事来。
We’ve got enough problems without you trying to stir things up. 我们麻烦事儿已经够多的了，你就别再挑拨是非了。
3 to make sth move around in water or air （水或空气中）搅起；吹起:
The wind stirred up a lot of dust. 风吹起大量尘土。
■noun
1 [sing.] excitement, anger or shock that is felt by a number of people （一些人感到的）激动，愤怒，震动 SYN COMMOTION :
Her resignation caused quite a stir. 她的辞职引起很大震动。
2 [C, usually sing.] the action of stirring sth 搅动；搅和；搅拌:
Could you give the rice a stir? 你把米饭搅一搅好吗？
stuff
stuff /stʌf/ noun, verb
■noun [U]
1 (informal, sometimes disapproving) used to refer to a substance, material, group of objects, etc. when you do not know the name, when the name is not important or when it is obvious what you are talking about （事物名称不详、无关紧要或所指事物明显时用）东西，物品，玩意儿:
What’s all that sticky stuff on the carpet? 地毯上那黏乎乎的都是什么玩意儿？
The chairs were covered in some sort of plastic stuff. 椅子都包了一种塑料膜。
This wine is good stuff. 这酒不错。
(disapproving)
I don’t know how you can eat that stuff! 我不明白你怎么能吃那种东西！
They sell stationery and stuff (like that). 他们出售文具之类的东西。
Where’s all my stuff (= my possessions)? 我那些东西都哪儿去了？
(disapproving)
Could you move all that stuff off the table? 请你把桌上那些玩意儿全都拿走好不好？
➡ see also FOODSTUFF ➡ note at THING
2 (informal) used to refer in a general way to things that people do, say, think, etc. （泛指）活儿，话，念头，东西:
I’ve got loads of stuff to do today. 我今天有好多事儿要做。
I like reading and stuff. 我喜欢看书什么的。
The band did some great stuff on their first album. 这支乐队首张专辑有几支很棒的曲子。
This is all good stuff. Well done! 这一切都不错。干得漂亮！
What’s all this ‘Mrs Smith’ stuff? Call me Anna. 哪来的什么“史密斯夫人”那一套？叫我安娜好了。
I don’t believe in all that stuff about ghosts. 我不信什么鬼呀魂呀的。
3 ~ (of sth) (formal or literary) the most important feature of sth; something that sth else is based on or is made from 基本特征；特质；根本；基础；原料:
The trip was magical; the stuff of which dreams are made. 那是一次奇妙的旅行，宛如梦境。
Parades and marches were the very stuff of politics in the region. 游行示威是那一地区政治生活的基本内容。
Let’s see what stuff you’re made of (= what sort of person you are). 我们来看看你是怎样一个人。
➡ see also HOT STUFF
IDM do your ˈstuff (informal) to do what you are good at or what you have been trained to do 施展自己的本事；露一手:
Some members of the team are just not doing their stuff (= doing as well as they should). 队中几名成员压根儿没有使出自己的本事。
(figurative)
The medicine has clearly done its stuff. 这药显然起作用了。
not give a ˈstuff (BrE, slang) to not care at all about sth 一点不在乎
ˌstuff and ˈnonsense exclamation (old-fashioned, informal) used by some people to say that they think that sth is stupid or not true 废话；胡说八道
➡ more at KID n. , KNOW v. , STERN adj. , STRUT v. , SWEAT v.
■verb
1 ~ A (with B) | ~ B (in, into, under, etc. A) to fill a space or container tightly with sth 填满；装满；塞满；灌满: [VN]
She had 500 envelopes to stuff with leaflets. 她得在 500 个信封里装上传单。
She had 500 leaflets to stuff into envelopes. 她得把 500 份传单装进信封里。
The fridge is stuffed to bursting. 冰箱满得都快撑破了。
[VN-ADJ]
All the drawers were stuffed full of letters and papers. 所有抽屉里都放满了信函文件。
2 [VN+adv./prep.] to push sth quickly and carelessly into a small space 把…塞进（或填进） SYN SHOVE :
She stuffed the money under a cushion. 她把钱塞到软垫底下。
His hands were stuffed in his pockets. 他两手插在口袋里。
3 [VN] to fill a vegetable, chicken, etc. with another type of food 在（蔬菜、鸡等）里填入（另外一种食物）；给…装馅:
Are you going to stuff the turkey? 你打算给火鸡加填料吗？
stuffed peppers 酿柿子椒
4 [VN] ~ sb/yourself (with sth) | ~ your face (informal) to eat a lot of food or too much food; to give sb a lot or too much to eat （使）吃撑，吃足，吃得过饱:
He sat at the table stuffing himself. 他坐在桌前大吃大嚼。
Don’t stuff the kids with chocolate before their dinner. 正餐前不要给孩子一个劲地吃巧克力。
We stuffed our faces at the party. 我们在聚会时都吃撑了。
5 [VN] [usually passive] to fill the dead body of an animal with material and preserve it, so that it keeps its original shape and appearance 制作（动物）标本:
They had had their pet dog stuffed. 他们请人把他们的宠物狗制成了标本。
IDM get ˈstuffed (BrE, informal) used to tell sb in a rude and angry way to go away, or that you do not want sth 滚开；不稀罕
ˈstuff it (informal) used to show that you have changed your mind about sth or do not care about sth （表示改变了主意或不在乎）管它呢，去它的:
I didn’t want a part in the play, then I thought—stuff it—why not? 我本来没想在剧中扮演角色，然后又一想 ── 管它呢 ── 干吗不演？
you, etc. can stuff sth (informal) used to tell sb in a rude and angry way that you do not want sth （粗暴或气愤地拒绝）还是收起你的宝贝吧:
I told them they could stuff their job. 我告诉他们说我不稀罕他们的工作。
Sphinx
sphinx /sfɪŋks/ noun (often the Sphinx)
an ancient Egyptian stone statue of a creature with a human head and the body of a LION lying down. In ancient Greek stories the Sphinx spoke in RIDDLES . 斯芬克斯，狮身人面像（古埃及石像；在希腊神话中，斯芬克斯说话惯用谜语）
idiomatic
idiom•at•ic /ˌɪdiəˈmætɪk/ adj.
1 containing expressions that are natural to a NATIVE SPEAKER of a language 表达方式地道的；符合（某一）语言习惯的:
She speaks fluent and idiomatic English. 她讲一口流利地道的英语。
2 containing an idiom 包含习语的:
an idiomatic expression 惯用语
# idiom•at•ic•al•ly /-kli/ adv.
effortless
ef•fort•less /ˈefətləs; NAmE ˈefərt-/ adj.
needing little or no effort, so that it seems easy 不需费力的；容易的:
She dances with effortless grace. 她跳舞动作优美，轻松自如。
He made playing the guitar look effortless. 他弹起吉他来显得轻松自如。
# ef•fort•less•ly adv.
# ef•fort•less•ness noun [U]
dreadful
dread•ful /ˈdredfl/ adj. (especially BrE)
1 very bad or unpleasant 糟糕透顶的；讨厌的；令人不快的:
What dreadful weather! 多么讨厌的天气！
What a dreadful thing to say! 话说得太难听了！
It’s dreadful the way they treat their staff. 他们对待雇员的方式糟糕透了。
How dreadful! 多讨厌啊！
Jane looked dreadful (= looked ill or tired). 简看上去脸色很不好。
➡ note at TERRIBLE
2 [only before noun] used to emphasize how bad sth is （强调糟糕的程度）极其的，极坏的 SYN TERRIBLE :
She’s making a dreadful mess of things. 她把事情搞得一塌糊涂。
I’m afraid there’s been a dreadful mistake. 恐怕是出了大错。
3 [usually before noun] causing fear or suffering 可怕的；令人畏惧的；使人痛苦的 SYN TERRIBLE :
a dreadful accident 可怕的事故
They suffered dreadful injuries. 他们严重受伤。
可怕的
dreadful headlines可怕的新闻标题
handicap
handi•cap /ˈhændikæp/ noun, verb
■noun
1 [C, U] (becoming old-fashioned, sometimes offensive) a permanent physical or mental condition that makes it difficult or impossible to use a particular part of your body or mind 生理缺陷；弱智；残疾 SYN DISABILITY :
Despite her handicap, Jane is able to hold down a full-time job. 简尽管有生理缺陷，却能够保住一份全职工作。
mental/physical/visual handicap 智力╱生理╱视力缺陷
➡ note at DISABLED
2 [C] something that makes it difficult for sb to do sth 障碍；阻碍 SYN OBSTACLE :
Not speaking the language proved to be a bigger handicap than I’d imagined. 事实证明不会讲这种语言造成的障碍比我所想象的大。
3 [C] (sport 体) a race or competition in which the most skilful must run further, carry extra weight, etc. in order to give all those taking part an equal chance of winning; the disadvantage that is given to sb you are competing against in such a race or competition 让步赛（使参赛者中的优势方跑得较远、增加负重等）；（让步赛中给优势方施加的）障碍，不利条件
4 [C] (in GOLF 高尔夫球) an advantage given to a weaker player so that competition is more equal when they play against a stronger player. It is expressed as a number related to the number of times a player hits the ball and gets lower as he/she improves. 给弱者增加的杆数（按击球次数计数，并随参赛者的进步而减少）
■verb (-pp-) [VN] [usually passive] to make sth more difficult for sb to do 妨碍；阻碍:
British exports have been handicapped by the strong pound. 英镑坚挺影响了英国的出口。
glowing
glow•ing /ˈgləʊɪŋ; NAmE ˈgloʊɪŋ/ adj.
giving enthusiastic praise 热烈赞扬的；热情洋溢的:
a glowing account/report/review 热情洋溢的叙述╱报道╱评论
He spoke of her performance in the film in glowing terms (= praising her highly). 他热烈赞扬了她在影片中的表演。
容光焕发的，辉煌的
# glow•ing•ly adv.
scale
scale /skeɪl/ noun, verb
■noun SIZE 规模
1 [sing., U] ~ (of sth) the size or extent of sth, especially when compared with sth else （尤指与其他事物相比较时的）规模，范围，程度:
They entertain on a large scale (= they hold expensive parties with a lot of guests). 他们大宴宾客。
Here was corruption on a grand scale. 这里的腐败现象曾十分严重。
On a global scale, 77% of energy is created from fossil fuels. 全球 77% 的能量产生自矿物燃料。
to achieve economies of scale in production (= to produce many items so the cost of producing each one is reduced) 实现规模生产
It was impossible to comprehend the full scale of the disaster. 这场灾难的深重程度是无法充分认识的。
It was not until morning that the sheer scale of the damage could be seen (= how great it was). 直到早晨才看清了损害的严重程度。
➡ see also FULL-SCALE , LARGE-SCALE , SMALL-SCALE
RANGE OF LEVELS 等级
2 [C] a range of levels or numbers used for measuring sth 等级；级别:
a five-point pay scale 五分制工资等级
to evaluate performance on a scale from 1 to 10 按 1 到 10 级来评估成绩
➡ see also RICHTER SCALE , SLIDING SCALE , TIMESCALE
3 [C, usually sing.] the set of all the different levels of sth, from the lowest to the highest 等级体系:
At the other end of the scale, life is a constant struggle to get enough to eat. 对于处在社会最底层的人来说，生活就是为吃饱肚子而不断挣扎的过程。
the social scale 社会等级体系
MARKS FOR MEASURING 衡量标度
4 [C] a series of marks at regular intervals on an instrument that is used for measuring 标度；刻度:
How much does it read on the scale? 刻度显示的是多少？
WEIGHING INSTRUMENT 衡器
5 scales [pl.] (NAmE also scale) an instrument for weighing people or things 秤；磅秤；天平:
bathroom/kitchen/weighing scales 浴室磅秤；厨房用秤；秤
(figurative)
the scales of justice (= represented as the two pans on a BALANCE (5) ) 正义的天平
OF MAP/DIAGRAM/MODEL 地图；图表；模型
6 [C] the relation between the actual size of sth and its size on a map, diagram or model that represents it 比例；比例尺:
a scale of 1:25 000 * 1:25 000 的比例
a scale model/drawing 按比例缩放的模型╱图画
Both plans are drawn to the same scale. 两张平面图是按同一比例绘制的。
Is this diagram to scale (= are all its parts the same size and shape in relation to each other as they are in the thing represented)? 这个示意图是按比例画的吗？
IN MUSIC 音乐
7 [C] a series of musical notes moving upwards or downwards, with fixed intervals between each note, especially a series of eight starting on a particular note 音阶:
the scale of C major * C 大调音阶
to practise scales on the piano 在钢琴上练习音阶
➡ compare KEY n. (5) , OCTAVE
OF FISH/REPTILE 鱼；爬行动物
8 [C] any of the thin plates of hard material that cover the skin of many fish and REPTILES 鳞；鳞片
IN WATER PIPES, ETC. 水管等
9 (BrE also fur) [U] a hard greyish-white substance that is sometimes left inside water pipes and containers for heating water 水垢；水锈 ➡ see also LIMESCALE
ON TEETH 牙齿
10 [U] a hard substance that forms on teeth, especially when they are not cleaned regularly 牙垢；牙石 ➡ compare PLAQUE (2)
IDM see TIP v.
■verb [VN] CLIMB 攀登
1 (formal) to climb to the top of sth very high and steep 攀登；到达…顶点:
the first woman to scale Mount Everest 第一位登上珠穆朗玛峰的女性
(figurative)
He has scaled the heights of his profession. 他登上了他事业的顶峰。
FISH 鱼
2 to remove the small flat hard pieces of skin from a fish 去鳞
TEETH 牙齿
3 to remove TARTAR from the teeth by SCRAPING 刮除牙石:
The dentist scaled and polished my teeth. 牙医为我刮除牙石，抛光了牙齿。
CHANGE SIZE 改变大小
4 (technical 术语) to change the size of sth 改变…的大小:
Text can be scaled from 4 points to 108 points without any loss of quality. 正文可以从 4 点变到 108 点，但印刷质量丝毫不会降低。
PHR V ˌscale sthoˈdown (NAmE also ˌscale sthoˈback) to reduce the number, size or extent of sth 减少（数量）；缩小（规模或范围）:
We are thinking of scaling down our training programmes next year. 我们考虑在明年缩小培训计划。
The IMF has scaled back its growth forecasts for the next decade. 国际货币基金组织已经调低了它对未来十年的增长预测。
➡ note at CUT
ˌscale sthoˈup to increase the size or number of sth 增大，扩大（规模或数量）
prosperous
pros•per•ous /ˈprɒspərəs; NAmE ˈprɑ:s-/ adj. rich and successful 繁荣的；成功的；兴旺的 SYN AFFLUENT : prosperous countries 繁荣的国家 ➡ note at RICH
beyond the dreams of
让…无法想象
highly skilled
技术熟练的
a dreadful handicap
一个可怕的障碍、不利因素
