No. 45 (Nov 18, 2011)
Avert
To avoid; to prevent(防ぐ)
→“Some say that the current financial crisis could not have been averted.”
→“A disaster control plan is designed to avert tragic consequences.”
Bisect
To split in two(二分化する)
→“This little alley bisects the town into pre- and post-war quarters.”
→“Look at this shape. It is a crudely bisected square.”
Careen
To move fast, losing control(コントロールを失って疾走する)
→“The horse careened off the path.”
→“The toddler careened on the floor.”
Debilitate
To make someone or something weak or ineffective(弱化または非効率化させる)
→“Her recent loss of employment is debilitating her.”
→“The floods debilitated the global auto parts supply networks.”
Fix
A solution or repair; a difficult situation or problem(問題解決又は修理、難局)
→“This is one potential fix, though not the best.”
→“The airline’s technical problem got a fix.”
→“The ongoing recession has put the financial industry in a serious fix.”
→“You have to work harder to meet the deadline. Otherwise, you will be in a big fix.”
Go-to
Having the needed expertise or skill to be helpful(必要とされるスキルや情報を持ち合わせた)
→“It would be good to know her. She is the go-to person in the office when you have a question.”
→“He is the go-to guy in matters of facility management.”
Indigenous
Local or native(原産の、地元の)
→“Anthropologist Margaret Mead went to Samoa to study indigenous culture.”
→“Indigenous people complain that industrial pollution is threatening their health and economy.”
Log (11/18/11)
To officially record(公式に記録する)
→“When you call the lawyer’s office, you should bear in mind that all phone calls are logged.”
→“Convenience stores logged record sales figures.”
→“Utility companies logged a big loss in the aftermath of the earthquake.”
Murky
Difficult to see or understand; lacking transparency in conduct or quality(難解な、行動や性格が不透明で怪しい)
→“The president’s intentions are murky as the government proceeds to fill a vacuum created by the region-wide protest.”
→“The company hired a new legal counsel, but his background is murky.”
Plummet
To fall suddenly(急降下する)
→“When I changed my jobs, my income plummeted from 10 million yen to 6 million.”
→“Foreign tourism in the disaster-struck area plummeted.”
Rarefied
Accessible to only a small group of people(少数の人しかアクセスできない)
→“The new museum in the upscale part of town has a rarefied atmosphere.”
→“On the strength of modern technology, the residents of Silicon Valley live in a rather rarefied neighborhood.”
Shed
To get rid of; to drop(削除する、落とす)
→“You have to exercise on a regular basis and shed some weight.”
→“The child started shedding tears when the policeman asked her where she lives.”
Touch
A unique manner or style of doing something(ユニークなやり口、様式)
→“I chose this college because I liked the president’s personal touch.”
→“The young politician’s common touch is a hit with the electorate.”