柯林斯高階英英詞典 Aa 第一部分 (2/4)

ab|ra|ca|dab|ra /? br?k?d? br?/ EXCLAM Abracadabra is a word that someone says when they are performing a magic trick in order to make the magic happen.

abrade /?breI d/ (abrades , abrading , abraded ) VERB To abrade something means to scrape or wear down its surface by rubbing it. [FORMAL ] □ [be V -ed] My skin was abraded and very tender.

abra|sion /?breI ?^? n/ (abrasions ) N?COUNT An abrasion is an area on a person's body where the skin has been scraped. [FORMAL ] □ [+ to ] He had severe abrasions to his right cheek.

abra|sive /?breI sI v/
1 ADJ Someone who has an abrasive manner is unkind and rude. □ His abrasive manner has won him an unenviable notoriety.
2 ADJ An abrasive substance is rough and can be used to clean hard surfaces. □ …a new all-purpose, non-abrasive cleaner.

abreast /?bre st/
1 ADV [ADV after v] If people or things walk or move abreast , they are next to each other, side by side, and facing in the same direction. □ The steep pavement was too narrow for them to walk abreast.
2 PHRASE If you are abreast of someone or something, you are level with them or in line with them. □ As he drew abreast of the man he pretended to stumble.
3 PHRASE If you keep abreast of a subject, you know all the most recent facts about it. □ He will be keeping abreast of the news.

abridged /?brI d?d/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] An abridged book or play has been made shorter by removing some parts of it. □ This is an abridged version of her new novel.

abroad ◆◇◇ /?br?? d/ ADV [ADV after v, n ADV , be ADV , from ADV ] If you go abroad , you go to a foreign country, usually one which is separated from the country where you live by an ocean or a sea. □ I would love to go abroad this year, perhaps to the South of France. □ …public opposition here and abroad. □ About 65 per cent of its sales come from abroad.

ab|ro|gate /? br?geI t/ (abrogates , abrogating , abrogated ) VERB If someone in a position of authority abrogates something such as a law, agreement, or practice, they put an end to it. [FORMAL ] □ [V n] The next prime minister could abrogate the treaty.

ab|rupt /?br? pt/
1 ADJ An abrupt change or action is very sudden, often in a way which is unpleasant. □ Rosie's idyllic world came to an abrupt end when her parents' marriage broke up. ● ab|rupt|ly ADV [ADV with v] □ He stopped abruptly and looked my way.
2 ADJ Someone who is abrupt speaks in a rather rude, unfriendly way. □ He was abrupt to the point of rudeness. □ Cross was a little taken aback by her abrupt manner. ● ab|rupt|ly ADV □ 'Good night, then,' she said abruptly.

abs /? bz/ N?PLURAL Abs are the same as abdominals . [INFORMAL ] □ Throughout the exercise, focus on keeping your abs tight.

ab|scess /? bses/ (abscesses ) N?COUNT An abscess is a painful swelling containing pus.

ab|scond /?bsk? nd/ (absconds , absconding , absconded )
1 VERB If someone absconds from somewhere such as a prison, they escape from it or leave it without permission. [FORMAL ] □ [V ] He was ordered to appear the following day, but absconded. □ [V + from ] A dozen inmates have absconded from Forest Jail in the past year.
2 VERB If someone absconds with something, they leave and take it with them, although it does not belong to them. [FORMAL ] □ [V + with ] Unfortunately, his partners were crooks and absconded with the funds.

ab|seil /? bseI l/ (abseils , abseiling , abseiled ) VERB To abseil down a cliff or rock face means to slide down it in a controlled way using a rope, with your feet against the cliff or rock. [BRIT ]

ab|sence ◆◇◇ /? bs^? ns/ (absences )
1 N?VAR Someone's absence from a place is the fact that they are not there. □ …a bundle of letters which had arrived for me in my absence. □ Eleanor would later blame her mother-in-law for her husband's frequent absences.
2 N?SING The absence of something from a place is the fact that it is not there or does not exist. □ [+ of ] The presence or absence of clouds can have an important impact on heat transfer. □ [+ of ] In the absence of a will the courts decide who the guardian is.
3 → see also leave of absence
4 conspicuous by one's absence → see conspicuous

ab|sent /? bs^? nt/
1 ADJ [usu v-link ADJ ] If someone or something is absent from a place or situation where they should be or where they usually are, they are not there. □ [+ from ] He has been absent from his desk for two weeks. □ Evans was absent without leave from his Hong Kong-based regiment.
2 ADJ If someone appears absent , they are not paying attention because they are thinking about something else. □ 'Nothing,' Rosie said in an absent way. ● ab|sent|ly /? bs^? ntli/ ADV □ He nodded absently.
3 ADJ [ADJ n] An absent parent does not live with his or her children. □ …absent fathers who fail to pay towards the costs of looking after their children.
4 PREP If you say that absent one thing, another thing will happen, you mean that if the first thing does not happen, the second thing will happen. [AM , FORMAL ] □ Absent a solution, people like Sue Godfrey will just keep on fighting.

ab|sen|tee /? bs^? nti? / (absentees )
1 N?COUNT An absentee is a person who is expected to be in a particular place but who is not there.
2 ADJ [ADJ n] Absentee is used to describe someone who is not there to do a particular job in person. □ Absentee fathers will be forced to pay child maintenance.
3 ADJ [ADJ n] In elections in the United States, if you vote by absentee ballot or if you are an absentee voter, you vote in advance because you will be away. [AM ]

ab|sen|tee|ism /? bs^? nti? I z?m/ N?UNCOUNT Absenteeism is the fact or habit of frequently being away from work or school, usually without a good reason.

ab|sen|tia /?bse nti?, [AM ] -se n??/ PHRASE If something is done to you in absentia , it is done to you when you are not present. [FORMAL ] □ He was tried in absentia and sentenced to seven years in prison.

a bsent-mi nded ADJ Someone who is absent-minded forgets things or does not pay attention to what they are doing, often because they are thinking about something else. □ In his later life he became even more absent-minded. ● absent-mindedly ADV [ADV with v] □ Elizabeth absent-mindedly picked a thread from his lapel.

ab|sinthe /? bsI nθ/ N?UNCOUNT Absinthe is a very strong alcoholic drink that is green and tastes bitter.

ab|so|lute ◆◇◇ /? bs?lu?t/ (absolutes )
1 ADJ [usu ADJ n] Absolute means total and complete. □ It's not really suited to absolute beginners. □ A sick person needs absolute confidence and trust in a doctor.
2 ADJ [ADJ n] You use absolute to emphasize something that you are saying. [EMPHASIS ] □ About 12 inches wide is the absolute minimum you should consider. □ I think it's absolute nonsense.
3 ADJ [ADJ n] An absolute ruler has complete power and authority over his or her country. □ He ruled with absolute power.
4 ADJ [usu ADJ n] Absolute is used to say that something is definite and will not change even if circumstances change. □ They had given an absolute assurance that it would be kept secret.
5 ADJ [ADJ n] An amount that is expressed in absolute terms is expressed as a fixed amount rather than referring to variable factors such as what you earn or the effects of inflation. □ In absolute terms British wages remain low by European standards.
6 ADJ [usu ADJ n] Absolute rules and principles are believed to be true, right, or relevant in all situations. □ There are no absolute rules.
7 N?COUNT An absolute is a rule or principle that is believed to be true, right, or relevant in all situations.
8 → see also decree absolute

ab|so|lute|ly ◆◆◇ /? bs?lu? tli/
1 ADV [usu ADV adj/adv, oft ADV with v] Absolutely means totally and completely. [EMPHASIS ] □ Jill is absolutely right. □ I absolutely refuse to get married. □ There is absolutely no difference!
2 ADV Some people say absolutely as an emphatic way of saying yes or of agreeing with someone. They say absolutely not as an emphatic way of saying no or of disagreeing with someone. [EMPHASIS ] □ 'It's worrying, isn't it?'—'Absolutely.'

a b|so|lute ma|jo r|ity (absolute majorities ) N?COUNT [usu sing] If a political party wins an absolute majority , they obtain more seats or votes than the total number of seats or votes gained by their opponents in an election.

a b|so|lute ze ro N?UNCOUNT Absolute zero is a theoretical temperature that is thought to be the lowest possible temperature.

ab|so|lu|tion /? bs?lu? ?^? n/ N?UNCOUNT If someone is given absolution , they are forgiven for something wrong that they have done. [FORMAL ] □ She felt as if his words had granted her absolution.

ab|so|lut|ism /? bs?lu? tI z?m/
1 N?UNCOUNT Absolutism is a political system in which one ruler or leader has complete power and authority over a country. □ …royal absolutism.
2 N?UNCOUNT You can refer to someone's beliefs as absolutism if they think that their beliefs are true, right, or relevant in all situations, especially if you think they are wrong to behave in this way. [DISAPPROVAL ] ● ab|so|lut|ist ADJ □ This absolutist belief is replaced by an appreciation that rules can vary.

ab|solve /?bz? lv/ (absolves , absolving , absolved ) VERB If a report or investigation absolves someone from blame or responsibility, it formally states that he or she is not guilty or is not to blame. □ [V n + of/from ] A police investigation yesterday absolved the police of all blame in the incident. □ [V n] …the inquiry which absolved the soldiers.

ab|sorb /?bz?? ^r b/ (absorbs , absorbing , absorbed )
1 VERB If something absorbs a liquid, gas, or other substance, it soaks it up or takes it in. □ [V n] Plants absorb carbon dioxide from the air and moisture from the soil. □ [be V -ed + into ] Refined sugars are absorbed into the bloodstream very quickly.
2 VERB If something absorbs light, heat, or another form of energy, it takes it in. □ [V n] The dark material absorbs light and warms up.
3 VERB If a group is absorbed into a larger group, it becomes part of the larger group. □ [be V -ed + into ] The Colonial Office was absorbed into the Foreign Office. □ [V n] …an economy capable of absorbing thousands of immigrants.
4 VERB If something absorbs a force or shock, it reduces its effect. □ [V n] …footwear which does not absorb the impact of the foot striking the ground.
5 VERB If a system or society absorbs changes, effects, or costs, it is able to deal with them. □ [V n] The banks would be forced to absorb large losses.
6 VERB If something absorbs something valuable such as money, space, or time, it uses up a great deal of it. □ [V n] It absorbed vast amounts of capital that could have been used for investment.
7 VERB If you absorb information, you learn and understand it. □ [V n] Too often he only absorbs half the information in the manual.
8 VERB If something absorbs you, it interests you a great deal and takes up all your attention and energy. □ [V n] …a second career which absorbed her more completely than her acting ever had.
9 → see also absorbed , absorbing

ab|sorbed /?bz?? ^r bd/ ADJ [v-link ADJ ] If you are absorbed in something or someone, you are very interested in them and they take up all your attention and energy. □ [+ in/by ] They were completely absorbed in each other.

ab|sor|bent /?bz?? ^r b?nt/ ADJ Absorbent material soaks up liquid easily. □ The towels are highly absorbent.

ab|sorb|er /?bz?? ^r b?^r / → see shock absorber

ab|sorb|ing /?bz?? ^r bI ?/ ADJ An absorbing task or activity interests you a great deal and takes up all your attention and energy. □ 'Two Sisters' is an absorbing read.

ab|sorp|tion /?bz?? ^r p?^? n/
1 N?UNCOUNT The absorption of a liquid, gas, or other substance is the process of it being soaked up or taken in. □ [+ of ] Vitamin C increases the absorption of iron from food.
2 N?UNCOUNT [usu with poss] The absorption of a group into a larger group is the process of it becoming part of the larger group.

ab|stain /?bsteI n/ (abstains , abstaining , abstained )
1 VERB If you abstain from something, usually something you want to do, you deliberately do not do it. [FORMAL ] □ [V + from ] Abstain from sex or use condoms. □ [V ] Do you drink alcohol, smoke, or abstain?
2 VERB If you abstain during a vote, you do not use your vote. □ [V ] Three Conservative MPs abstained in the vote.

ab|ste|mi|ous /?bsti? mi?s/ ADJ Someone who is abstemious avoids doing too much of something enjoyable such as eating or drinking. [FORMAL ]

ab|sten|tion /?bste n?^? n/ (abstentions ) N?VAR Abstention is a formal act of not voting either for or against a proposal. □ …a vote of sixteen in favor, three against, and one abstention.

ab|sti|nence /? bstI n?ns/ N?UNCOUNT Abstinence is the practice of abstaining from something such as alcoholic drink or sex, often for health or religious reasons. □ …six months of abstinence. □ [+ from ] …total abstinence from alcohol.

ab|stract /? bstr?kt/ (abstracts )
1 ADJ An abstract idea or way of thinking is based on general ideas rather than on real things and events. □ …abstract principles such as justice. □ It's not a question of some abstract concept. ● ab|stract|ly ADV □ It is hard to think abstractly in these conditions.
2 PHRASE When you talk or think about something in the abstract , you talk or think about it in a general way, rather than considering particular things or events. □ Money was a commodity she never thought about except in the abstract.
3 ADJ [ADJ n] In grammar, an abstract noun refers to a quality or idea rather than to a physical object. □ …abstract words such as glory, honor, and courage.
4 ADJ [usu ADJ n] Abstract art makes use of shapes and patterns rather than showing people or things. □ …a modern abstract painting.
5 N?COUNT An abstract is an abstract work of art.
6 N?COUNT An abstract of an article, document, or speech is a short piece of writing that gives the main points of it.

ab|stract|ed /?bstr? ktI d/ ADJ Someone who is abstracted is thinking so deeply that they are not fully aware of what is happening around them. [WRITTEN ] □ The same abstracted look was still on his face. ● ab|stract|ed|ly ADV [ADV with v] □ She nodded abstractedly.

ab|strac|tion /?bstr? k?^? n/ (abstractions ) N?VAR An abstraction is a general idea rather than one relating to a particular object, person, or situation. [FORMAL ] □ Is it worth fighting a big war, in the name of an abstraction like sovereignty?

ab|struse /?bstru? s/ ADJ You can describe something as abstruse if you find it difficult to understand, especially when you think it could be explained more simply. [FORMAL , DISAPPROVAL ] □ …fruitless discussions about abstruse resolutions.

ab|surd /?bs?? ^r d/ ADJ If you say that something is absurd , you are criticizing it because you think that it is ridiculous or that it does not make sense. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ It is absurd to be discussing compulsory redundancy policies for teachers. □ I've known clients of mine go to absurd lengths, just to avoid paying me a few pounds. ● N?SING The absurd is something that is absurd. [FORMAL ] □ Parkinson had a sharp eye for the absurd. ● ab|surd|ly ADV □ Prices were still absurdly low, in his opinion. ● ab|surd|ity /?bs?? ^r dI ti/ (absurdities ) N?VAR □ [+ of ] I find myself growing increasingly angry at the absurdity of the situation.

ab|surd|ist /?bs?? ^r dI st/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] An absurdist play or other work shows how absurd some aspect of society or human behaviour is.

abun|dance /?b? nd?ns/ N?SING [with sing or pl verb, oft in N ] An abundance of something is a large quantity of it. □ [+ of ] The area has an abundance of wildlife. □ Food was in abundance.

abun|dant /?b? nd?nt/ ADJ Something that is abundant is present in large quantities. □ There is an abundant supply of cheap labour. □ Birds are abundant in the tall vegetation.

abun|dant|ly /?b? nd?ntli/
1 ADV [ADV adj] If something is abundantly clear, it is extremely obvious. □ He made it abundantly clear that anybody who disagrees with his policies will not last long.
2 ADV [usu ADV with v, oft ADV adj] Something that occurs abundantly is present in large quantities. □ …a plant that grows abundantly in the United States.

abuse ◆◆◇ (abuses , abusing , abused )

1 N?UNCOUNT Abuse of someone is cruel and violent treatment of them. □ …investigation of alleged child abuse. □ …victims of sexual and physical abuse. □ …controversy over human rights abuses.
2 N?UNCOUNT Abuse is extremely rude and insulting things that people say when they are angry. □ I was left shouting abuse as the car sped off.
3 N?VAR Abuse of something is the use of it in a wrong way or for a bad purpose. □ [+ of ] What went on here was an abuse of power. □ …drug and alcohol abuse.
4 VERB If someone is abused , they are treated cruelly and violently. □ [be V -ed] Janet had been abused by her father since she was eleven. □ [V n] …parents who feel they cannot cope or might abuse their children. □ [V -ed] …those who work with abused children. ● abus|er (abusers ) N?COUNT □ …a convicted child abuser.
5 VERB You can say that someone is abused if extremely rude and insulting things are said to them. □ [be V -ed] He alleged that he was verbally abused by other soldiers. [Also V n]
6 VERB If you abuse something, you use it in a wrong way or for a bad purpose. □ [V n] He showed how the rich and powerful can abuse their position. ● abus|er N?COUNT □ …the treatment of alcohol and drug abusers.

abu|sive /?bju? sI v/
1 ADJ Someone who is abusive behaves in a cruel and violent way towards other people. □ He became violent and abusive toward Ben's mother. □ One in eight women lives in an abusive relationship.
2 ADJ Abusive language is extremely rude and insulting.

abut /?b? t/ (abuts , abutting , abutted ) VERB When land or a building abuts something or abuts on something, it is next to it. [FORMAL ]

abuzz /?b? z/ ADJ [v-link ADJ ] If someone says that a place is abuzz with rumours or plans, they mean that everyone there is excited about them. [JOURNALISM ]

abys|mal /?bI zm^? l/ ADJ If you describe a situation or the condition of something as abysmal , you think that it is very bad or poor in quality. □ …our abysmal record at producing a scientifically trained workforce. □ The general standard of racing was abysmal. ● abys|mal|ly ADV [ADV adj, ADV after v] □ The standard of education was abysmally low. □ As the chart shows, it has failed abysmally.

abyss /?bI s/ (abysses )
1 N?COUNT [usu sing] An abyss is a very deep hole in the ground. [LITERARY ]
2 N?COUNT [usu sing] If someone is on the edge or brink of an abyss , they are about to enter into a very frightening or threatening situation. [LITERARY ]