INDEPENDENT

1.allure

verb

 (transitive)

to entice or tempt (someone) to a person or place or to a course of action; attract

noun

attractiveness; appeal

the cottage's allure was its isolation

2.compatible

1. adjective

If things, for example systems, ideas, and beliefs, are compatible, they work well together or can exist together successfully.

Free enterprise, he argued, was compatible with Russian values and traditions. [+ with]

Marriage and the life I live just don't seem compatible.

Synonyms: consistent, in keeping, consonant, congenial 

compatibility (kəmpætɪbɪlɪti  ) uncountable noun

National courts can freeze any law while its compatibility with European legislation is being tested. [+ with]

[Also + of/between]

Synonyms: agreement, consistency, accordance, affinity   More Synonyms of compatible

2. adjective

If you say that you are compatible with someone, you mean that you have a good relationship with them because you have similar opinions and interests.

Mildred and I are very compatible. She's interested in the things that interest me.

In a large city you're almost certain to find a physician with whom you are compatible and feel comfortable.

[Also + with]

Synonyms: like-minded, harmonious, in harmony, in accord   

compatibility  uncountable noun

As a result of their compatibility, Haig and Fraser were able to bring about wide-ranging reforms.

Synonyms: like-mindedness, harmony, empathy, rapport   More Synonyms of compatible

3. adjective

If one make of computer or computer equipment is compatible with another make, especially IBM, they can be used together and can use the same software.

[computing]

3.homicidal   adj. 杀人的,行凶的,有杀人嗜好的,杀气腾腾的

Homicidal is used to describe someone who is dangerous because they are likely to kill someone.

That man is a homicidal maniac.

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maniac

1. countable noun

A maniac is a mad person who is violent and dangerous.

The cabin looked as if a maniac had been let loose there.

...a drug-crazed maniac.

Synonyms: madman or madwoman, psycho [slang] , lunatic, loony [slang]   

2. adjective [ADJECTIVE noun]

If you describe someone's behaviour as maniac, you are emphasizing that it is extremely foolish and uncontrolled.

[emphasis]

A maniac driver sped 35 miles along the wrong side of a motorway at 110 mph.

...a maniac cyclist.

3. countable noun

If you call someone, for example, a religious maniac or a sports maniac, you are critical of them because they have such a strong interest in religion or sport.

[disapproval]

My mum is turning into a religious maniac.

...football maniacs.

...an explosion of homicidal rage.

Synonyms: murderous, deadly, lethal, maniacal

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4.on the rampage

暴跳如雷  behaving violently or destructively

rampage

 verb

When people or animals rampage through a place, they rush about there in a wild or violent way, causing damage or destruction.

Hundreds of youths rampaged through the town, shop windows were smashed and cars overturned. [VERB adverb/preposition]

He used a sword to try to defend his shop from a rampaging mob. [VERB-ing]

Synonyms: go berserk, tear, storm, rage

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noun (ˈræmpeɪdʒ  , ræmˈpeɪdʒ  )

angry or destructive behaviour

rampageous (ramˈpageous) adjective

rampageously (ramˈpageously) adverb

rampageousness (ramˈpageousness) noun

rampager (ˈrampager) noun

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5.take on

1. phrasal verb

If you take on a job or responsibility, especially a difficult one, you accept it.

No other organisation was able or willing to take on the job. [VERB PREPOSITION noun]

Don't take on more responsibilities than you can handle. [VERB PREPOSITION noun (not pronoun)]

[Also VERB noun PREPOSITION]

Synonyms: accept, tackle, undertake, shoulder  

2. phrasal verb [no passive]

If something takes on a new appearance or quality, it develops that appearance or quality.

Believing he had only a year to live, his writing took on a feverish intensity. [VERB PREPOSITION noun]

[Also VERB noun PREPOSITION]

Synonyms: acquire, assume, come to have  

3. phrasal verb

If a vehicle such as a bus or ship takes on passengers, goods, or fuel, it stops in order to allow them to get on or to be loaded on.

This is a brief stop to take on passengers and water. [VERB PREPOSITION noun]

[Also VERB noun PREPOSITION]

4. phrasal verb

If you take someone on, you employ them to do a job.

He's spoken to a publishing firm. They're going to take him on. [VERB noun PREPOSITION]

The party has been taking on staff, including temporary organisers. [VERB PREPOSITION noun]

Synonyms: engage, employ, hire, retain   

5. phrasal verb [no passive]

If you take someone on, you fight them or compete against them, especially when they are bigger or more powerful than you are.

Democrats were reluctant to take on a president whose popularity ratings were historically high. [VERB PREPOSITION noun]

I knew I couldn't take him on. [VERB noun PREPOSITION]

Synonyms: compete against, face, contend with, fight   

6. phrasal verb [no passive]

If you take something on or upon yourself, you decide to do it without asking anyone for permission or approval.

Knox had taken it on himself to choose the wine. [V n P pron-refl]

He took upon himself the responsibility for protecting her. [V P pron-refl]

The President absolved his officers and took the blame upon himself. [V n P pron-refl]

6.nostalgic

1. adjective

Nostalgic things cause you to think affectionately about the past.

Although we still depict nostalgic snow scenes on Christmas cards, winters are now very much warmer.

Somehow the place even smelt wonderfully nostalgic.

2. adjective [usually verb-link ADJECTIVE]

If you feel nostalgic, you think affectionately about experiences you had in the past.

Many people were nostalgic for the good old days. [+ for/about]

You tend to be nostalgic, and like things to be as they have always been.

nostalgically (nɒstældʒɪkli  ) adverb [ADVERB with verb , oft ADVERB adjective]

People look back nostalgically on the war period, simply because everyone pulled together.

7.middle-class

8.orthodoxy

1. variable noun

An orthodoxy is an accepted view about something.

These ideas rapidly became the new orthodoxy in linguistics.

He broke from prevailing orthodoxies and asked the awkward questions.

What was once a novel approach had become orthodoxy.

Synonyms: doctrine, teaching, opinion, principle   More Synonyms of orthodoxy

2. uncountable noun

The old, traditional beliefs of a religion, political party, or philosophy can be referred to as orthodoxy.

...the latest step in a purge of liberals and a return to political orthodoxy.

...a conflict between Nat's religious orthodoxy and Rube's belief that his mission is to make money.

9.conformism n. 盲目因袭的态度,因循守旧

noun

the tendency to adopt the attitudes, behaviour, dress, etc, of the group to which one belongs

a country where conformism is the norm

10.tumble

1. verb

If someone or something tumbles somewhere, they fall there with a rolling or bouncing movement.

A small boy tumbled off a third floor fire escape. [VERB preposition/adverb]

The dog had tumbled down the cliff. [VERB preposition/adverb]

He fell to the ground, and the gun tumbled out of his hand. [VERB preposition/adverb]

Synonyms: fall, drop, topple, plummet  

Tumble is also a noun.

He injured his ribs in a tumble from his horse. [+ from]

2. verb

If prices or levels of something are tumbling, they are decreasing rapidly.

[journalism]

House prices have tumbled by almost 30 per cent in real terms since mid-1989. [V + by/from/to]

Share prices continued to tumble today on the Tokyo stock market. [VERB]

...tumbling inflation. [VERB-ing]

[Also V amount]

Synonyms: fall steeply or sharply, fall, decline, crash [informal]

Tumble is also a noun.

Oil prices took a tumble yesterday.

3. verb

If water tumbles, it flows quickly over an uneven surface.

Waterfalls crash and tumble over rocks. [VERB preposition]

...the aromatic pines and tumbling streams of the Zonba Plateau. [VERB-ing]

[Also VERB]

Synonyms: cascade, fall, flow, pour  

4. verb

If you say that someone tumbles into a situation or place, you mean that they get into it without being fully in control of themselves or knowing what they are doing.

[mainly British]

Many mothers and children tumble into poverty after divorce. [VERB + into]

There's no thought more pleasing than the prospect of tumbling into my apartment and slamming the door. [VERB into noun]

Synonyms: hurry, rush, bound, pile

11.on its desent 下降

12.realise

13.plant

If you plant something somewhere, you put it there firmly.

She planted her feet wide and bent her knees slightly. [VERB noun adverb/preposition]

...with his enormous feet planted heavily apart. [V-ed adv/prep]

Synonyms: place, put, set, settle

14.squarely

1. adverb [ADVERB with verb]

Squarely means directly or in the middle, rather than indirectly or at an angle.

I kept the gun aimed squarely at his eyes.

Synonyms: directly, straight, exactly, precisely 

2. adverb [ADVERB with verb]

If something such as blame or responsibility lies squarely with someone, they are definitely the person responsible.

The president put the blame squarely on his opponent.

Responsibility for success or failure lies squarely with the Nigerians.

Synonyms: fully, completely, totally, entirely 

3. adverb [ADVERB with verb]

If you face something squarely, you face it directly, without trying to avoid it.

The management committee have faced the situation squarely.

We have to drop our pretences and look squarely at schooling as it really is.

Synonyms: resolutely, firmly, directly, boldly

15.cocktail

1. countable noun 鸡尾酒

A cocktail is an alcoholic drink which contains several ingredients.

On arrival, guests are offered wine or a champagne cocktail.

...an expert at mixing cocktails.

2. countable noun

A cocktail is a mixture of a number of different things, especially ones that do not go together well.

The court was told she had taken a cocktail of drugs and alcohol. [+ of]

Children and guns are a potentially lethal cocktail.

Synonyms: mixture, combination, compound, blend

16.calibre

1. uncountable noun [usually adjective NOUN]

The calibre of a person is the quality or standard of their ability or intelligence, especially when this is high.

I was impressed by the high calibre of the researchers and analysts. [+ of]

It became apparent that we could never get the calibre of people we wanted.

Synonyms: worth, quality, ability, talent

2. uncountable noun

The calibre of something is its quality, especially when it is good.

The quality of his character and the caliber of his accomplishments produced a lasting influence.

The calibre of teaching was very high. [+ of]

Synonyms: standard, level, quality, grade  

3. countable noun [adjective NOUN]

The calibre of a gun is the width of the inside of its barrel.

[technical]

...a .22 calibre rifle.

...a small-calibre pistol.

17.testify

1. verb

When someone testifies in a court of law, they give a statement of what they saw someone do or what they know of a situation, after having promised to tell the truth.

Several eyewitnesses testified that they saw the officers hit Miller in the face. [VERB that]

Eva testified to having seen Herndon with his gun on the stairs. [VERB + to]

He hopes to have his 12-year prison term reduced by testifying against his former colleagues. [V + against/for/about]

[Also VERB]

Synonyms: bear witness, state, swear, certify 

2. verb

If one thing testifies to another, it supports the belief that the second thing is true.

[formal]

Recent excavations testify to the presence of cultivated inhabitants on the hill during the Arthurian period. [VERB + to]

18.pugnacious

Someone who is pugnacious is always ready to quarrel or start a fight.

[formal]

The President was in a pugnacious mood when he spoke to journalists about the rebellion.

Synonyms: aggressive, contentious, irritable, belligerent

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1. adjective

A belligerent person is hostile and aggressive.

...the belligerent statements from both sides which have led to fears of war.

He was almost back to his belligerent mood of twelve months ago.

Synonyms: aggressive, hostile, contentious, combative   More Synonyms of belligerent

belligerently  adverb

'Why not?' he asked belligerently.

belligerence  uncountable noun

He could be accused of passion, but never belligerence.

Synonyms: aggressiveness, hostility, animosity, antagonism

2. countable noun

The belligerents in a war are the countries or groups that are fighting each other.

[formal]

The belligerents were due, once again, to try to settle their differences.

Synonyms: fighter, battler, militant, contender

19.pop up

phrasal verb

If someone or something pops up, they appear in a place or situation unexpectedly.

[informal]

She was startled when Lisa popped up at the door all smiles. [VERB PREPOSITION]

You solved one problem and another would immediately pop up. [VERB PREPOSITION]

Synonyms: appear, emerge, turn up, show up

20.in close succession(接二连三)

21.meltdown

1. variable noun

If there is meltdown in a nuclear reactor, the fuel rods start melting because of a failure in the system, and radiation starts to escape.

Emergency cooling systems could fail and a reactor meltdown could occur.

2. uncountable noun

The meltdown of a company, organization, or system is its sudden and complete failure.

[journalism]

Urgent talks are going on to prevent the market going into financial meltdown during the summer.

22.ingenious

Something that is ingenious is very clever and involves new ideas, methods, or equipment.

...a truly ingenious invention.

Gautier's solution to the puzzle is ingenious.

Synonyms: creative, original, brilliant, clever

23.bewhiskered  adj. 有髯的;陈旧的

24.mince

1. uncountable noun

Mince is meat which has been cut into very small pieces using a machine.

[mainly British]

Brown the mince in a frying pan.

REGIONAL NOTE:

in AM, use ground beef, hamburger meat

2. verb

If you mince food such as meat, you put it into a machine which cuts it into very small pieces.

[mainly British]

Perhaps I'll buy lean meat and mince it myself. [VERB noun]

...minced beef. [VERB-ed]

REGIONAL NOTE:

in AM, usually use grind

Synonyms: cut, grind, crumble, dice   

3. verb

If you say that someone, especially a homosexual man, minces somewhere, you mean that they walk there with quick small steps.

[disapproval]

They minced in, in beach costumes and make-up. [VERB preposition/adverb]

mincing steps 小碎步

25.snort at

when people or animals snort , they breathe air noisily out through their noses.people sometimes snort in order to express disapproval or amusement. 喷鼻息（有时表示不赞同或可笑）

26.confess to doing sth 承认做某事

27.trope  n. 比喻；转义；修辞

1. rhetoric

a word or expression used in a figurative sense

2.an interpolation of words or music into the plainsong settings of the Roman Catholic liturgy

28.glamorous

adjective

If you describe someone or something as glamorous, you mean that they are more attractive, exciting, or interesting than ordinary people or things.

...some of the world's most beautiful and glamorous women.

The south coast is less glamorous but full of clean and attractive hotels.

Synonyms: attractive, beautiful, lovely, charming

29.exotic

adjective

Something that is exotic is unusual and interesting, usually because it comes from or is related to a distant country.

adj. 由外国引进的, 非本地的

奇异的, 醒目的, 吸引人的

...brilliantly coloured, exotic flowers.

She flits from（穿梭于） one exotic location to another.

30.preposterous

adjective

If you describe something as preposterous, you mean that it is extremely unreasonable and foolish.

[disapproval]

The whole idea was preposterous.

...their preposterous claim that they had unearthed a plot.

Synonyms: ridiculous, bizarre（adj. 奇异的（指态度，容貌，款式等））, incredible, outrageous

31.franchise

n. (尤指选举议员的)选举权;参政权

vt. 给…以特许权,出售特许权

1. countable noun [oft noun NOUN , NOUN noun]

A franchise is an authority that is given by an organization to someone, allowing them to sell its goods or services or to take part in an activity which the organization controls.

[business]

...fast-food franchises.

...the franchise to build and operate the tunnel.

Talk to other franchise holders and ask them what they think of the parent company.

Synonyms: authorization, right, permit, licence

2. verb

If a company franchises its business, it sells franchises to other companies, allowing them to sell its goods or services.

[business]

She has recently franchised her business. [VERB noun]

Though the service is available only in California, its founder Michael Cane says he plans to franchise it in other states. [VERB noun]

It takes hundreds of thousands of dollars to get into the franchised pizza business. [VERB-ed]

franchising  uncountable noun

One of the most important aspects of franchising is the reduced risk of business failure it offers to franchisees.

3. uncountable noun [oft the NOUN]

Franchise is the right to vote in an election, especially one in which people elect a parliament.

...the introduction of universal franchise.

The 1867 Reform Act extended the franchise to much of the male working class.

Synonyms: vote, voting rights, suffrage, enfranchisement

32.pastiche 

n. 混成曲；模仿画

vt. 东拼西凑；混杂

(pæstiːʃ  )  ——源于法语

Word forms: plural pastiches

variable noun

A pastiche is something such as a piece of writing or music in which the style is copied from somewhere else, or which contains a mixture of different styles.

34.sidekick

Someone's sidekick is a person who accompanies them and helps them, and who you consider to be less intelligent or less important than the other person.

35.seek out  强调结果

      find out 强调过程

36.baffle

verb

If something baffles you, you cannot understand it or explain it.

An apple tree producing square fruit is baffling experts. [VERB noun]

Synonyms: puzzle, beat [slang] , amaze, confuse

37.far-fetched

adjective

If you describe a story or idea as far-fetched, you are criticizing it because you think it is unlikely to be true or practical.

[disapproval]

The storyline was too far-fetched and none of the actors was particularly good.

Synonyms: unconvincing, unlikely, strained, fantastic

38.come up to 

come up to

1.接近，靠近：

He came up to us in the street.

他在街上向我们走来。

2.(在质量等方面)不亚于，相当于；比得上；达到(标准)：

This piece of work does not come up to your usual standard.

这件作品达不到你们平常的标准。）

39.mystery

countable noun

A mystery is a story in which strange things happen that are not explained until the end.

His fourth novel is a murder mystery set in London.

40.espouse

verb

If you espouse a particular policy, cause, or belief, you become very interested in it and give your support to it.

[formal]

She ran away with him to Mexico and espoused the revolutionary cause. [VERB noun]

Synonyms: support, back, champion, promote

41.resonant

adj. (指声音)回响的, 回荡的, 洪亮的

(指房间、物体等)激起回响的, 引起共鸣的, 产生共振的

(指处所)产生某种回响的, 回荡着某种声音的

1. adjective

A sound that is resonant is deep and strong.

His voice sounded oddly resonant in the empty room.

He responded with a resonant laugh.

Synonyms: sonorous, full, clear, rich   More Synonyms of resonant

2. adjective

Something that is resonant has a special meaning or is particularly important to people.

[literary]

It is a country resonant with cinematic potential, from its architecture to its landscape. [+ with]

42.notably

1. adverb

You use notably to specify an important or typical example of something that you are talking about.

The divorce would be granted when more important problems, notably the fate of the children, had been decided.

It was a question of making sure certain needs were addressed, notably in the pensions area.

2. adverb [ADVERB adjective/adverb]

You can use notably to emphasize a particular quality that someone or something has.

[emphasis]

Old established friends are notably absent, so it's a good opportunity to make new contacts.

A notably short, silver-haired man, he plays basketball with his staff several times a week.

43.protagonist

rotagonist（ （ 文学作品、电影中常用来表示主角，但一般电影电视颁奖

典礼用 用actor， ，actress ）