Unit 95

allay / alley / ally / alloy / valley / rally

allay v. 减轻，缓和 (to make something less severe or strong) /əˈleɪ/

• Rascha joked backstage with Jim in an effort to allay his stage fright.

alley n. 小径，小巷 (a garden or park walk bordered by trees or bushes) /ˈali/

• Parallel rows of mature oak trees lined the rock paved alley that led to the house.

ally v. 联合，联盟 (to join with another in order to get or give support) /ˈalʌɪ/

• In the "Hunger Games," Katniss Everdeen allied with Peeta in order to stay alive.

alloy n. 合金 (a metal made by melting and mixing two or more metals or materials together) /ˈalɔɪ/

• Steel is an alloy comprised of carbon, iron and several other elements.

v. 减低成色 (to impair or debase by admixture)

• The dancer's elegant movements were alloyed by orchestra's cacophonous attempt to accompany her.

valley n. 山谷，流域 (an area of low land between hills or mountains) /ˈvali/

• The valley seemed even deeper by virtue of being hemmed by tall mountains on each side.

rally v. 召集 (to come together again to renew an effort) /ˈrali/

• After failing the first exam, the students rallied together by forming a study group in order to ensure higher grades the next time around.

superficial / supercilious

superficial adj. 表面的 (presenting only an appearance without substance or significance) /ˌsuːpəˈfɪʃ(ə)l/

• The superficial wound bled copiously, making it look much worse than it really was.

supercilious adj. 表面上的，肤浅的 (behaving in a superior manner) /suːpəˈsɪlɪəs/

• Gretchen's supercilious behavior, flouncing around and acting as if she were a queen, made her very unpopular.