Unit_5_The_force_of_nature

Text I Force of Nature

Glossary

elm /elm/ n. any of various deciduous trees 落叶树of the genus Ulmus, characteristically having arching or curving branches and serrated leaves with asymmetrical bases. Elms are widely planted as shade trees 榆树

radioactivity // n. spontaneous emission of radiation, either directly from unstable atomic nuclei or as a consequence of a nuclear reaction

single-minded // adj. characterized by having only one aim or purpose and being determined to achieve it made-up // adj. (of stories) that is invented, rather than really existing or being true, fictional

exotic // adj. intriguingly unusual or different, as if from another part of the world 由外国引进的，非本地的

encircle // v. to circle around

grave // adj. fraught充满不愉快的事情with danger or harm; serious

idolize // v. to worship sb. or sth. as an object of adoration 将（某人）当作偶像崇拜

fantasy // n. the creative imagination; unrestrained fancy 想象，幻想

shred // n. a small amount (of)

obsessively // adv. in a way that one cannot stop doing a particular thing or behaving in a particular way 萦绕于心；有执着想法

revolutionize // v. to bring about a radical change in 使彻底变革

atomic // adj. of or relating to an atom or atoms

an atomic bomb/an atomic submarine/atomic

power/atomic warfare/atomic energy nuclear

pitiful // adj. inspiring or deserving pity

passion // n. strong emotion

tuberculosis // n. a serious infectious disease that attacks many parts of the body, esp. the lungs结核病；（由指）肺结核

governess // n. a woman employed to educate and train the children of a private household女家教

wind up to end up; finish up; be in a situation at the end of a series of events, adventures, experiences, even though it is not the original intention 使结束disinherit // v. to exclude from inheritance or the right

to inherit 剥夺继承权

nursemaid // n. a woman employed to take care of children 育婴女佣

drag by (of time) to pass in a tedious and prolonged way

meager // adj. scanty; small and not enough （数量或大小）不足的

enrol // v. to enter one's own or sb.'s name on an official register or list of members 入学，加入

vat // n. a large vessel, such as a tub, cistern, or barrel, used to hold or store liquids 大桶，大盆

glisten // v. to shine by reflection with a sparkling luster 闪亮

luminous // adj. emitting light, especially emitting self-generated light 发光的，发亮的

stain // n. a discoloured spot or smudge

congeal // v. to cause to solidify or coagulate or to undergo a process likened to solidification or coagulation 使…凝结

radium // n. (化)镭：一种稀有的、有白色光泽、发光、高度放射性的金属元素，极少量地存在于沥青矿中