Unit 38

enclose / disclose

enclose v. 包围 (to surround (something)) /ɪnˈkləʊz/

• We decided to enclose our backyard with a fence in order to ensure that our new puppy could not escape our property.

disclose v. 揭发，揭露 (to make (something) known to the public) / dɪsˈkloʊz/

• Several high powered people, including politicians, fell from grace after their shady business deals were made public when the 'Panama Papers' were disclosed.

compliment / complement

compliment n. 赞美 (a remark that says something good about someone or something) /ˈkɑmpləmənt/

• Sondra smiled happily and thanked her date for his kind compliments about her appearance.

complement v. 补足，补助 (to complete something else or make it better) /ˈkɑmpləˌmɛnt/

• Tyra carefully chose drapes in a shade of blue that she hope would complement the green walls of her bedroom.

austere / astute / acute

austere adj. 朴素的，没有装饰的 (simple or unadorned) / ɔˈstɪr/

• The nuns led an austere existence, devoid of any unnecessary fripperies.

astute adj. 敏锐的 (having or showing an ability to notice and understand things clearly) / əˈst(j)ut/

• Helena's mother was so emotionally astute that she always noticed when her daughter was a bit upset about something.

acute adj. 重要的 (important or critical) / əˈkyo͞ot/

• Theodore's stomach pain became so acute that his mother rushed him to the hospital.

pretentious / tendentious / contentious

pretentious adj. 炫耀的 (having or showing the unpleasant quality of people who want to be regarded as more impressive, successful, or important than they really are) / prəˈtɛn(t)ʃəs/

• Carl's pretentious display of over-tipping the wait staff embarrassed his date.

tendentious adj. 偏袒的，偏向的 (strongly favoring a particular point of view in a way that may cause argument) / tenˈdenSHəs/

• Liberals continue to fight against what they perceive as Donald Trump's tendentious stance in favor of tightening American immigration policies.

contentious adj. 引起争议的 (likely to cause people to argue or disagree) / kənˈtɛn(t)ʃəs/

• Immigration has become one of the most contentious issues of the 21st century, causing a great deal of friction between conservatives and liberals.