清河|整理
词根学习笔记(9)|AMBI, EPI
AMBI means "on both sides" or around; ambi- comes from Latin. Most of us are right-handed or left-handed, but ambidextrous people can use their right and left hand equally well.
1-ambiguous
(1)Doubtful or uncertain especially from being obscure or indistinct;
(2) Unclear in meaning because of being understandable in more than one way.
# Successful politicians are good at giving ambiguous answers on different issues.
2-ambient
Existing or present on all sides.
# The ambient lighting in the restaurant was low, and there was a bright candle at each table.
3-ambivalent
(1) Holding opposite feelings and attitudes at the same time toward someone or something;
(2) Continually wavering between opposites or alternative courses of action.
# He was ambivalent about the trip: he badly wanted to travel but hated to miss the summer activities at home.
4-ambit
The range or limit covered by something (such as law.)
# The treatment of farm animals generally falls outside the ambit of animal-cruelty laws in the U. S.
EPI is a Greek prefix that may mean various things, but usually "on, over" or "attached to". So an eearthquake's epicenter is the ground right over the center of the quake. And your epidermis is the outer layer of your skin, on top of the inner dermis.
1-epilogue
The final section after the main part of a book or play.
# Her editor told her the book really needed an epilogue, to tell where each member of the family is today.
2-epiphyte
A plant that obtains its nutrients from the air and the rain and usually grows on another plant for support.
# The strangler fig begins life as an epiphyte on a tree branch, drops its tendrils to take roots in the ground around the trunk, and slowly covers and strangles the tree to death.
3-epitaph
An inscription on a grave or tomb in memory of the one buried there.
The greatest architect Christopher Wren designed London's majestic St. Paul's Cathedral, the site of his tomb and epitaph:"If you seek my monument, look around you."
4-epithet
(1) A descriptive word or phrase occurring with or in place of the name of a person or thing;
(2) An insulting or demeaning word or phrase.
# King Richard I of England earned the epithet "Lionhearted", while his brother, King John, was given the epithet "Lackland".
网友评论