Unit 103

asperity / aspersion / exasperation

asperity adj. 表面粗糙的 (roughness of surface) / əˈspɛrɪti/

• The asperities caused by tectonic plates overlapping are responsible for many earthquakes.

adj. 粗鲁的 (roughness of manner or of temper) / əˈspɛrɪti/

• The bitter asperity in Natalie's voice made it clear that she was very annoyed with her boyfriend.

aspersion n. 中伤，诽谤 (a false or misleading charge meant to harm someone's reputation) / əˈspəːʃ(ə)n/

• The false witness was caught out trying to mislead the jury by casting aspersions on the defendant.

exasperation n. 恼怒 (the state of being very annoyed or upset) / ɪɡˌzɑːspəˈreɪʃ(ə)n/

• Theresa May's exasperation must have been immense when the most recent referendum reduced her party's political power.

dismay / dismal / dismissal

dismay v. 使沮丧 (to cause to lose courage or resolution) / dɪsˈmeɪ/

• Iona was dreadfully dismayed when she received a failing grade in calculus.

dismal adj. 忧郁的 (showing or causing gloom or depression) /ˈdɪzm(ə)l/

• The grey, wet, winter weather cast a dismal feeling over the town's residents.

dismissal n. 轻视的 (the act of dismissing) / dɪsˈmɪsl/

• We were relieved to escape following our dismissal from the dean's office.

hermetic / heretical / hereditary

hermetic adj.密闭的 (closed tightly so that no air can go in or out) / həːˈmɛtɪk/

• Dry goods, such as rice, cereal and potato chips, are usually hermetically sealed in order to ensure vermin do not enter the bag.

heretical adj. 异教的，异端的 (of, relating to, or characterized by departure from accepted beliefs or standards) / hɪˈrɛtɪk(ə)l/

• Martin Luther's 95 Theses, which were considered heretical in the eyes of the Catholic church, motivated the 16th century Reformation.

hereditary adj. 遗传的 (passing from a person who has died to that person's child or younger relative) / hɪˈrɛdɪt(ə)ri/

• Democratic societies prize themselves on elected rather than hereditary leadership, where power is passed down via familial relationships.