No. 16 (April 22, 2011)
Absorbing
Having the quality to keep one interested and entertained(関心を誘い夢中にさせるような)
→“Collecting toys has been my absorbing hobby since childhood.”
→“The psychologist tells his patients to find something absorbing to do in order to attain true happiness.”
Beset
To be in trouble(問題・難問に直面した)
→“Our project is beset with unforeseen complications.”
→“The firm is beset by lawsuits from its former employees.”
Daunting
Intimidating; challenging(恐れおののくような大がかりの、大変な)
→“The new nation faces the daunting task of sustaining a democratic state on a day-to-day basis.”
→“When I volunteered for the project, I was not aware of the daunting nature of the challenge.”
Eerie
Mysterious, sometimes to the extent of being a little scary(奇妙な、薄気味悪い)
→“I have an eerie sense that I visited this very place a long time ago.”
→“This picture captures the eerie beauty of the ancient town.”
Flag
To lose power; to sag; to check with a mark(弱化する;マークをつける)
→“I began my speech so loud that my voice was flagging by the middle of it.”
→“Here’s the handout for today’s lecture. I have flagged the parts that I want you to pay special attention to.”
Irk
To annoy; to anger(気に障る、怒らせる)
→“Nothing irks me like waiting endlessly in line on a hot, humid day with no wind blowing.”
→“The company’s new salary policy is irking the employees.”
Loath
To be averse; to be reluctant and unwilling(嫌がる、乗り気でない)
→“I am loath to report to my boss how the business meeting went.”
→“Economists are loath to weigh the long-term consequences of the recession.”
Loathe
To dislike with a strong feeling(忌み嫌う)
→“She loathes going on blind dates.”
→“The radio talk show host loathes the Democrats.”
Panacea
Effective cure or solution for all problems(普遍的有効性のある解決策・対処)
→“Decades ago many people believed that a communist revolution was a panacea for all social evils.”
→“I am realistic enough to know that there is no panacea for the world’s troubles.”
Punt
To give up; to cancel(あきらめる、キャンセルする)
→“We decided to punt on it and go for something else.”
→“He has not replied to my e-mail. I think he is punting on the plan.”
Spat
A quarrel, fight, dispute(口論、喧嘩)
→“In a diplomatic spat, the US and Venezuela expelled each other’s ambassador.”
→“I stalked out of the house after a spat with my parents.”
At stake
To be at risk; to be in question(失う危険がある、問題となる、かかっている)
→“My career is at stake in today’s presentation.”
→“Great losses and gains are at stake in this game.”
Surrogate
A substitute; a replacement(代替)
→“When I had a homestay experience in America, the Mr. and Mrs. became my surrogate parents in all respects.”
→“He is under a lot of attack because he is considered a surrogate of the dethroned king.”
Swath
A certain acreage of space, particularly, a long thin area; a group of(一定の区域、特に長く細いエリア。群衆)
→“Swaths of Times Square are closed to traffic during the holidays.”
→“A vast coastal swath was wiped out by the tsunami.”
→“A swath of people showed up for the concert.”
Swathe
To cover or wrap(覆う、カバーする)
→“She slept swathed in blankets.”
→“The lake was swathed in early morning mist.”