Unit 12

aesthetic / aseptic / ascetic / anesthetic

aesthetic adj. 美学的 (of or relating to art or beauty) / esˈTHedik /

• There is no common aesthetic; some people like bright colors and curves, others prefer dark colors and angles, and others prefer something altogether different.

aseptic adj. 无菌的 (free from germs that cause disease) / āˈseptik /

• Hospital staff are careful to maintain an aseptic environment in order to avoid spreading germs.

ascetic adj. 生活朴素的 (relating to or having a strict and simple way of living that avoids physical pleasure) / əˈsɛdɪk /

• Some devout yogis maintain ascetic lifestyles in which they practice fasting and celibacy.

anesthetic adj. 感觉缺失的，麻醉的 (lacking awareness or sensitivity) / ˌænəsˈθɛdɪk /

• Certain plant derivatives, such as neem oil, are alleged to have anesthetic properties that can soothe topical scrapes and burns.

ostensible / ostentatious

ostensible adj. 表面的，虚假的 (seeming or said to be true or real but very possibly not true or real) /ɒˈstɛnsɪb(ə)l/

• Bill Clinton's ostensible story was that he had "never inhaled" any of the drugs he was offered while in college, but most Americans doubted the veracity of his statement.

ostentatious adj.炫耀的 (marked by or fond of conspicuous or vainglorious and sometimes pretentious display) / ˌästənˈtāSHəs /

• The bachelorette party participants dressed the bride in an ostentatious outfit consisting of a bright pink bustier, a feather boa, and a sparkling tiara.

perspicuous / perspicacious

perspicuous adj. 清晰明白的 (clear, apparent) / pərˈspɪkjuəs /

• We appreciated our teacher's ability to explain the most dense, literary texts in a manner that was so perspicuous that their meaning became clear to all.

perspicacious adj. 有洞察力的 (having or showing an ability to notice and understand things that are difficult or not obvious) / ˌpərspəˈkāSHəs /

• Guilia was usually so quiet that we often forgot how clever she was until she made one of her rare and perspicaciously insightful remarks.