Unit 118

critique / critic / criticism / critical

critique n. 评论 (a piece of written (or oral) criticism of a set of ideas, a work of art, etc.) / krɪˈtiːk/

• The editor wrote such a harsh critique the new play that it folded in less than a month.

v. 写评论 (to express your opinion about good and bad parts of something)

• Jade critiqued the book quite fairly, enumerating its strengths as well as its faults.

critic n. 评论家 (one who expresses a reasoned opinion on any matter, especially involving a judgment of its value, truth, righteousness, beauty, or technique) /ˈkrɪtɪk/

• The critics agreed that the 2016 film La La Land was so good that it deserved to win the Oscar for Best Picture.

criticism n. 批评 (the act of criticizing someone or something) /ˈkrɪtɪsɪz(ə)m/

• Nan's criticism of the film was trenchant, pointing to the poor acting and directing as key failures.

n. 评论 (the activity of making careful judgements about the good and bad qualities of books, movies, etc.)

• Janet Abu-Lughod's paper about Islamic city planning offers readers a carefully argued criticism of mainstream beliefs about the subject.

critical adj. 决定性的，至关重要的 (of or relating to a turning point or specially important juncture) /ˈkrɪtɪk(ə)l/

• The most critical point in the operation was the moment when the old heart was removed and the new one was set in place.

adj, 批评的 (expressing criticism or disapproval)

• Helen's mother was quite critical about her daughter's failure to follow proper study habits.

adj. 评论的 (using or involving careful judgment about the good and bad parts of something)

• The academic's careful, critical approach toward the subject matter made for a fair and rational analysis.

vaccinate / vacillate / venerate

vaccinate v. 注射疫苗 (to administer a vaccine to usually by injection) /ˈvaksɪneɪt/

• The doctor used a syringe to vaccinate the child against polio.

vacillate v. 摇摆，犹豫 (to repeatedly change your opinions or desires) /ˈvasɪleɪt/

• Faith vacillated between Engineering and Statistics for a long time before finally choosing a major.

venerate v. 尊敬 (to feel or show deep respect for) /ˈvɛnəreɪt/

• My family venerates our grandparents because they are so much older and wiser than we are.

inopportune / importunate

inopportune adj. 不合时宜的 (not suitable or right for a particular situation) /ˌɪnɒpəˈtjuːn/

• The door to the changing room flew open at an inopportune moment, exposing Justice's bare bum to the shop assistant.

importunate adj. 再三要求的，纠缠不休的 (asking for things many times in a way that is annoying) /ɪmˈpɔːtjʊnət/

• The child's importunate demands for a new toy were met with stony silence from his annoyed mother.