Unit 43

substantiate / substantial

substantiate v. 证明 (to prove the truth of (something)) / səbˈstan(t)SHēˌāt/

• The defendant was sentenced to serve jail time after he failed to substantiate his claim of innocence.

substantial adj. 大量的 (large in amount, size, or number) / səbˈstan(t)SHəl/

• Although Tony had gotten a substantial number of the answers correct, the teacher's steep bell curve meant that he still failed to pass the exam.

substance n. 物质 (a material of a particular kind) /ˈsəbstəns/

• Valerie applied several substances that were marketed to remove stains, but none eradicated the dirty marks from her dress.

rebuke / rebuff

rebuke v. 指责，非难 (to speak in an angry and critical way to (someone)) / rəˈbyo͞ok/

• The teacher harshly rebuked Solange in front of the entire class for failing to follow directions.

rebuff n. （粗鲁地）回复 (a blunt or abrupt repulse or refusal) / rəˈbəf/

• Scarlett is very beautiful, but she is equally unkind; she is known for her rude rebuffs rather than letting her admirers down gently.

scatter / spatter

scatter v. 分散 (to separate and go in different directions) /ˈskadər/

• Some plants rely on the wind to aid their reproduction by scattering their seeds far and wide.

spatter v. 溅，洒 (to cause drops of a liquid to be thrown forcefully in different directions) /ˈspædər/

• Artist Jackson Pollock used a distinctive spattering technique to create paintings that look as if color has been dripped and thrown across the canvas.

tether / feather

tether n. 栓绳，系链 (a rope or chain that is used to tie an animal to a post, wall, etc., so that it will stay in a particular area.) /ˈtɛðər/

• The cowboy used his reins as a tether to tie his horse to a fence outside the saloon.

feather n. 羽毛 (any one of the light growths that make up the outer covering of the body of a bird) /ˈfɛðər/

• Early pens took the form of quills that were partially denuded of their feathers, filed to a point, and dipped in ink.