第二學期 單字筆記 No.3

com·plex

noun \ˈkäm-ˌpleks\

Definition

1: a whole made up of complicated or interrelated parts <a complex of welfare programs> <the military-industrial complex>

2 a : a group of culture traits relating to a single activity (as hunting), process (as use of flint), or culture unit b (1) : a group of repressed desires and memories that exerts a dominating influence upon the personality (2) : an exaggerated reaction to or preoccupation with a subject or situation c : a group of obviously related units of which the degree and nature of the relationship is imperfectly known d : the sum of factors (as symptoms) characterizing a disease or condition

3: a chemical association of two or more species (as ions or molecules) joined usually by weak electrostatic bonds rather than covalent bonds

4: a building or group of buildings housing related units <an apartment complex> <a sports complex>

Examples

1. She has a complex about her appearance.
2. a complex of protein molecules

Origin

Late Latin complexus totality, from Latin, embrace, from complecti

First Known Use: 1643

Related to COMPLEX

Synonyms: facility, establishment, installation

scheme

noun \ˈskēm\

Definition

1a archaic (1) : a mathematical or astronomical diagram (2) : a representation of the astrological aspects of the planets at a particular time b : a graphic sketch or outline

2: a concise statement or table : epitome

3: a plan or program of action; especially : a crafty or secret one

4: a systematic or organized configuration : design <color scheme>

Examples

1. a scheme to cheat people out of their money
2. The company has a new scheme for insurance coverage.
3. a scheme to improve the economy
4. the color scheme of a room

Origin

Latin schemat-, schema arrangement, figure, from Greek schēmat-, schēma, from echein to have, hold, be in (such) a condition; akin to Old English sige victory, Sanskrit sahate he prevails

First Known Use: circa 1595

Related to SCHEME

Synonyms: artifice, device, dodge, fetch, flimflam, gambit, gimmick, jig, juggle, knack, play, ploy, trick, shenanigan, sleight, stratagem, wile 

 

Information from  http://www.merriam-webster.com/

第二學期 單字筆記 No.2

re·spond

noun \ri-ˈspänd\

Definition: an engaged pillar supporting an arch or closing a colonnade or arcade

Origin

Middle English respounde, literally, reply, from Anglo-French respuns, respunt response

First Known Use: 15th century

com·bat

noun \ˈkäm-ˌbat\

Definition

1: a fight or contest between individuals or groups

2:conflict, controversy

3: active fighting in a war: action<casualties suffered in combat>

Examples

1. Some of these soldiers have never seen combat.
2. He was killed in combat.

Origin

Anglo-French, from combatre to attack, fight, from Vulgar Latin *combattere, from Latin com- + battuere to beat

First Known Use: 1546

Related to COMBAT

Synonyms: action, battle, field

stut·ter

verb \ˈstə-tər\

Definition

intransitive verb

1: to speak with involuntary disruption or blocking of speech (as by spasmodic repetition or prolongation of vocal sounds)

2: to move or act in a halting or spasmodic manner <the old jalopy bucks and stutters uphill — William Cleary>

transitive verb: to say, speak, or sound with or as if with a stutter

— stut·ter·er noun

Examples

1. I used to stutter when I was a child.
2. She stutters when she gets excited.

Origin

frequentative of English dialect stut to stutter, from Middle English stutten; akin to Dutch stotteren to stutter, Gothic stautan to strike — more at contusion

First Known Use: 1566

Information from  http://www.merriam-webster.com/

Do you think English will always be the international language? why or why not?

Do you think English will always be the international language?

why or why not?

     I think English will always be the international language. It is one of the most widely spoken languages in the world and easy to learn. Although Mandarin Chinese has the largest number of the native speakers, English is the international language for academics and business. For the English native speakers, learning Chinese is really difficult. The pronunciation, grammars and words of Chinese is big problems for  those who take Chinese as their second language. In contrast, Chinese native speaker is easier to learn English. According to these reason, I think English will always be the international language.