Unit 6

precocity / preciosity

precocity n. 早熟 (the phenomenon of a child showing the qualities or abilities of an adult at an unusually early age) / prəˈkɑsədi /

Mozart's precocity became readily apparent to his family when he began composing and performing pieces for the piano at the tender age of five.

preciosity n.过分讲究，矫揉造作 (fastidious refinement) /ˌpreSHēˈäsədē /

Margaret's preciosity, lifting her pinkie finger as she drank her tea from the chipped mug, was at odds with the dirty kitchen's mean environs.

apprehend v.逮捕 (to arrest or seize) / ˌæprəˈhɛnd /

After a long car chase, the bank robbers were apprehended when their vehicle ran out of gas.

reprehend v.申诉，指责 (to voice disapproval of ; censure) /ˌrɛprəˈhɛnd /

If you arrive late to class you are likely to be vociferously reprehended by an angry teacher.

comprehend v. 理解 (to understand (something, such as a difficult or complex subject)) /ˌkɑmprəˈhɛnd /

Astrophysics is so complex that it is one of the most notoriously difficult subjects to comprehend.

v. 包含 (to contain or hold within a total scope, significance, or amount)

In hopes of seeing as much as possible while on our holiday, we sought a tour that would comprehend all of Rome's major monuments.

hearten v. 激励，鼓励 (to cause (someone) to feel more cheerful or hopeful) / ˈhɑrtn /

When my best friend's dog died, her parents tried to hearten her by buying her a new puppy.

hearken v. 倾听，留心 (listen; to give respectful attention) /ˈhɑrkən /

When the principal began to speak, we stood quietly at attention in order to hearken her words.

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