Unit 75

tirade / tribe / tribute / diatribe

tirade n. 激烈的长篇演说 (a protracted speech, usually marked by harshly censorious language) /ˈtīˌrād/

• The drunk spewed a tirade of profanities as he was forcibly ejected from the bar.

tribe n. 部落 (a group of people that includes many families and relatives who have the same language, customs, and beliefs) /trīb/

• New Yorkers make up an urban tribe whose shared customs include coffee drinking and walking while talking on their cell phones.

tribute n. 赞美，致敬 (something done, said, or given to show respect, gratitude, or affection) /ˈtribyo͞ot/

• At the end of the year, we paid tribute to our teacher by gifting her with flowers, chocolates and several gift certificates.

diatribe n. 长篇痛骂 (an angry and usually long speech or piece of writing that strongly criticizes someone or something) /ˈdīəˌtrīb/

• Geoff spewed an angry diatribe of complaints against the noisy neighbors that had moved in next door.

cornerstone / limestone / milestone / stonewall / touchstone

cornerstone n. 重要的基石 (an indispensable and fundamental basis) /ˈkɔrnərˌstoʊn/

• The right to private property forms the cornerstone of Adam Smith's economic philosophy.

limestone n. 石灰岩 (a type of white stone that is commonly used in building) /ˈlīmˌstōn/

• The Greek island Santorini is renowned for its limestone-covered, white buildings and spectacular setting on the edge of a volcanic caldera.

milestone n. 里程碑，重要事件 (a significant point in development) /ˈmaɪlˌstoʊn/

• Life is marked by many milestones, but few are as memorable as the birth of a child.

stonewall v. 拒绝合作 (to refuse to comply or cooperate with) /ˈstōnˌwôl/

• The witness found himself in contempt of court after the judge accused him of stonewalling the case by refusing to give evidence.

touchstone n. 检验标准 (something that is used to make judgments about the quality of other things) /ˈtətʃˌstoʊn/

• Access to democratic processes and freedom from corruption are often considered touchstones for a political system's health.