No. 48 (Dec 9, 2011)
Bagatelle
Something trivial and insignificant(取るに足らない物)
→“Oh, just ignore these objections. They are mere bagatelles.”
→“I was insulted when the professor dismissed my comment as bagatelle.”
Buoyant
Rising; happy, healthy and optimistic(上昇気味の、健全で前向きな姿勢の)
→“The country needs buoyant exports for economic growth.”
→“Taking a walk in the park always puts me in a buoyant mood.”
Cringe
To feel uncomfortable and embarrassed for saying or doing something; to pull away and step back in fear(自分の発言や行動に対して恥ずかしく思う、恐怖で退く)
→“I cringe at saying this but I can’t help thinking that they are a nation of barbarians who don’t deserve our financial aid.”
→“When I tried to help the old lady with her bag, she cringed away from me.”
→“The nation of savers is cringing at the EU’s decision to intervene in their economy with the aim to rescue the euro.”
Dissipate
To gradually become weaker or less; to make something become so(徐々に弱化・減少する、又はさせる)
→“When the fire went out, the warmth of the room gradually dissipated.”
→“The heat dissipated vigor, via pipes, to the showers and radiators.”
→“I attained wealth in the stock market but it was dissipated before I knew it.”
Founder
To fail after a period of time during which efforts were made(一定の期間努力してみた末に失敗する)
→“The sales negotiations foundered as the two parties could not agree on the final price.”
→“As her marriage foundered, she sought comfort in painting.”
→“Stocks foundered on the latest credit ratings threat from Standard & Poor’s.”
Harbor
To keep, contain or shelter something or somebody that is bad or dangerous(悪質または危険な考え・感情、物、人物などを心に抱いたり、含んだり、かくまったりする)
→“She has been harboring a grudge against her ex-boyfriend ever since they broke up.”
→“The galaxy harbors a giant black hole.”
→“Harboring a criminal is a crime, even if you are family.”
Marshal
To organize persons, ideas or resources for some intended purpose(特定の目的の為に必要とされる人材、アイデア、物を集積し整理する)
→“The debater impressed the audience as she immediately marshaled arguments to rebut her opponent’s claim.”
→“The government is marshaling its resources to fight cybercrime.”
Petrify
To frighten someone to such a degree that they would not be able to move(動けなくなるほど怖がらせる)
→“I am petrified of that client because she has a temper problem at the slightest indication that I don’t follow what she is saying.”
→“I was totally petrified when I heard the loud explosion.”
Rile
To anger(怒らせる)
→“The traffic jam riled me up.”
→“The order cancellation riled the sales manager.”
Sectarian
Related to a particular religious group(特定の宗教団体・運動に関わった)
→“The sectarian divide in Lebanon is an ongoing destabilizing factor, not only in the country but also throughout the region.”
→“The bitter sectarian violence is a troubling sign for the government.”
Swipe
A criticism(批判)
→“I made a long speech at the staff meeting. Nobody seemed to notice that it was meant as a swipe at the president.”
→“The visiting prime minister took a swipe at the US currency policy.”
Toxic
Poisonous; dangerous(有毒の、危険な)
→“These chemicals are toxic and extremely harmful to humans.”
→“What investors once saw as safe has now turned toxic.”
Withal
In addition; together with; besides(それに付け加えて)
→“Tolstoy was a great storyteller and a sharp social critic withal.”
→“And, withal, the professor had a good sense of humor.”