大学英语精读2unit2单词
as?sume / ??sju?m $ ??su?m / verb [ transitive ]
1 to think that something is true, although you do not have definite proof SYN presume 假定，设想
assume (that)
I think we can safely assume (= it is almost certain ) that interest rates will go up again soon.
let us/let’s assume (that) (= used when thinking about a possible event or situation and its possible results )
Let us assume for a moment that we could indeed fire her. Should we?
When it got to midnight and Paul was still not back, I began to assume the worst (= think that the worst possible thing had happened ) .
2 assume control/responsibility etc formal to start to have control, responsibility etc or to start in a particular position or job承担，接受: Whoever they appoint will assume responsibility for all financial matters. He assumed power in a bloody coup in 1990.
Jim Paton will assume the role of managing director.
3 assume a manner/air/expression etc formal to behave in a way that does not show how you really feel, especially in order to seem more confident, happy etc than you are SYN put on 装出，佯作:
Andy assumed an air of indifference whenever her name was mentioned.
→ASSUMING
as?sum?ing / ??sju?m?? $ ??su?- / ( also as?suming that ) conjunction 假定
used when talking about an event or situation that might happen, and what you will do if it happens :
Assuming that you get a place at university, how are you going to finance your studies?
eccentric 2 noun [ countable ]
someone who behaves in a way that is different from what is usual or socially accepted :
I was regarded as something of an eccentric.
ec?cen?tric 1 / ?k?sentr?k / adjective
behaving in a way that is unusual and different from most people :
His eccentric behaviour lost him his job.
Aunt Nessy was always a bit eccentric.
THESAURUS
strange unusual or surprising, especially in a way that is difficult to understand, or that is a little frightening : What’s that strange noise downstairs? | That’s strange –I’m sur e I left my keys on the table. | a strange old man
funny/odd especially spoken a little strange and making you feel slightly surprised or worried : There’s a funny smell in the kitchen. | It’s odd that you can’t remember him at all.
curious especially written strange, especially in an interesting way. Curious is a little more formal than strange : a curious fact | There’s something rather curious about small-town America. | She remembered curious little details. mysterious strange – used about something that people know little about and are unable to explain or understand : He had disappeared in mysterious circumstances. | There were reports of mysterious lights in the sky.
eccentric strange in a way that seems slightly crazy and amusing – used about people and their behaviour : He lived completely alone and had some slightly eccentric habits. | an eccentric old lady
peculiar s lightly strange, and different from what you would normally expect –used especially when this is either amusing or worrying : She sometimes wears rather peculiar clothes. | He had a peculiar expression on his face.
VERY STRA NGE
weird very strange or very different from what you are used to : I had a weird dream last night. | It’s a weird and wonderful place.
bizarre extremely strange and different from what is usually considered normal : It was a bizarre situation. | Mark’s behaviour was really bizarre. surreal extremely strange and unconnected with real life or normal experiences, like something out of a dream : His paintings are full of surreal images. | There is something surreal about the climate change talks in Bali. | The plant’s flowers were so big that they seemed almost surreal
uncanny very strange – used especially about someone having an unusual ability to do something, or looking surprisingly similar to someone : She had an uncanny knack (= ability ) of putting her finger right on a problem. | Alice had an uncanny resemblance to Josie. | his uncanny ability to pick racing winners hook 1 / h?k / noun [ countable ]
1 a curved piece of metal or plastic that you use for hanging things on →peg :
Tom hung his coat on the hook behind the door.
2 a curved piece of thin metal with a sharp point for catching fish
3 let/get somebody off the hook to allow someone or help someone to get out of a difficult situation :
I wasn’t prepared to let her off the hook that easily.
4 by hook or by crook if you are going to do something by hook or by crook, you are determined to do it, whatever methods you have to use 不择手段，千方百计地:
The police are going to get these guys, by hook or by crook.
hook 2 verb [ transitive ]
1 to catch a fish with a hook :
I hooked a 20-pound salmon last week.
2 [ always + adverb/preposition ] to fasten or hang something onto something else
hook something onto/to something
Just hook the bucket onto the rope and lower it down.
o?blige / ??bla?d?/ verb formal
1 [ transitive usually passive ] if you are obliged to do something, you have to do it because the situation, the law, a duty etc makes it necessary
oblige somebody to do something
The minister was obliged to report at least once every six months. Circumstances had obliged him to sell the business.
feel obliged to do something (= feel that you have a duty to do something ) Many parents feel obliged to pay for at least part of the wedding.
?Do not use oblige when you are talking about a person making someone do something they do not want to do. Use force or make : No one can force (NOT oblige) you to stay in a job that you hate.
R EGISTER
In everyday English, people usually say that you have to do something rather than are obliged to do something :
He had to sell the business.
2 [ intransitive and transitive ] to do something that someone has asked you to do答应（某人的）请求:
Would you oblige me by taking this letter to the Director?
happy/glad/ready etc to oblige
If you need a ride home, I’d be happy to oblige.
3 I’d be obliged if spoken formal used to make a polite request 多谢（请别人帮忙时的客气话）:
I’d be obliged if you’d treat this matter as strictly confidential.
4 (I’m) much obliged (to you) spoken old-fashioned used to thank someone very politely 非常感谢
con?ve?ni?ent / k?n?vi?ni?nt / adjective
1 useful to you because it saves you time, or does not spoil your plans or cause you problems OPP inconvenient :
Mail-order catalogs are a convenient way to shop.
My secretary will call you to arrange a convenient time to meet.
convenient for
Is three o'clock convenient for you?
convenient to do something
It is simple and convenient to use.
R EGISTER
In everyday English, people usually say a good time/day etc rather than a convenient time/day etc:
Is this a good time for you to talk?
2 close and easy to reach OPP inconvenient :
The bus stop around the corner is probably the most convenient.
convenient for British English convenient to American English : restaurants convenient for shops and theatres
→INCONVENIENT
con?ve?ni?ence / k?n?vi?ni?ns / noun
1 [ uncountable ] the quality of being suitable or useful for a particular purpose, especially by making something easier or saving you time :
Ready meals sell well because of their convenience.
the convenience of doing something
Most of us like the convenience of using credit cards to buy things.
for convenience
For convenience, the German translation is printed below.
2 [ uncountable ] what is easiest and best for a particular person
at sb’s convenience (= at a time that is best and easiest for someone ) These meals can be prepared in advance, and served at your convenience.
for sb’s convenience
For your convenience, the bank is open until 7 p.m.
Services should be run to suit the convenience of the customer, not the staff.
3 [ countable ] something that is useful because it saves you time or means that you have less work to do :
The supermarket offers a bag-packing service, as a convenience to customers.
a hotel with all the modern conveniences
4 at your earliest convenience formal as soon as possible – used in letters :
We should be grateful if you would reply at your earliest convenience.
5 [ countable usually plural ] ( also public convenience ) formal a public toilet
6 a marriage of convenience a marriage that has been agreed for a particular purpose, not because the two people love each other :
In the past most royal marriages were marriages of convenience, arranged for political reasons.