Unit 68

astringent / stringent / contingent

astringent adj. 严厉的，尖刻的 (very critical in a sharp and often clever way) /əˈstrɪndʒənt/

• Even though they were harsh, Chao's astringent comments always made us laugh.

stringent adj. 非常严格的 (very strict or severe) /ˈstrinjənt/

• Jen maintained a stringent study schedule, working for four hours every day after school.

contingent adj. 偶然的 (depending on something else that might or might not happen ) /kənˈtɪndʒənt/

• Arthur had so many bills that his happiness was contingent on remaining gainfully employed.

complacent / compliant / complaint

complacent adj. 自我感觉良好的，自满的 (marked by self-satisfaction, especially when accompanied by unawareness of actual dangers or deficiencies) /kəmˈplās(ə)nt/

• The house was robbed after the owner became so complacent about security that he stopped locking the doors.

compliant adj. 顺从的，迎合的 (ready and willing to comply) /kəmˈplaɪənt/

• Phelan was a compliant child who always did as he was told.

complaint n. 抱怨 (expression of grief, pain, or dissatisfaction ) /kəmˈplānt/

• Kyle went to the police station to file an official complaint against his noisy neighbor.

devolve / delve / dive

devolve v. 衰落 (to gradually go from an advanced state to a less advanced state) /dəˈvɑlv/

• The negotiator spoke soothingly to the armed gunman in hopes of devolving the situation inside the bank.

delve v. 搜寻，挖掘 (to search deeply and laboriously) /dɛlv/

• The historian delved into the pile of library books, perusing each one for references to World War II.

dive v. 跳水 (to jump into water with your arms and head going in first) /daɪv/

• Dai bounced off the high jump, somersaulted in the air, and dove into the pool below.