TOEFL wordlist 20

1. caribou [ˈkærɪbuː]

n. A caribou is a large north American deer.

Although caribou look like deer, they are different from other members of their family in many ways.

2. fuse [fjuːz]

(1). n. A fuse is a safety device in an electric plug or circuit. It contains a piece of wire which melts when there is a fault so that the flow of electricity stops.

(2). phrase. When an electric device fuses or when you fuse it, it stops working because of a fault.

(3). n. A fuse is a device on a bomb or firework which delays the explosion so that people can move a safe distance away.

(4). phrase. When things fuse or are fused, they join together physically or chemically, usually to become one thing. You can also say that one thing fuses with another.

(5). phrase. If something fuses two different qualities, ideas, or things, or if they fuse, they join togetherm especially in order to form a pleasing or satisfactory combination.

(6). phrase. If you brow a fuse, you suddenly become very angry and are unable to stay clam.

(7). phrase. If someone or something lights the fuse of a particular situation or activity, they suddenly get it started.

(8). phrase. If you say that someone has a short fuse or is on a short fuse you mean that they are quick to react angrily when something goes wrong.

The resulting mass was further heated to fuse the mass into what was called potash.

3. resonance [ˈrezənəns]

(1). n. If something has a resonance for someone, it has a special meaning or is particularly important to them.

(2). n. If a sound has resonance, it is deep, clear, and strong.

(3). n. A resonance is the sound which is produced by an object when it vibrates at the same rate as the sound waves from another object.

The musical tone of an electric guitar is created not by the resonance of the body of the guitar but electronical amplification.

4. brew [bruː]

(1). v. If you brew tea or coffee, you make it by pouring hot water over tea leaves or ground coffee.

(2). n. A brew is a particular kind of tea or coffee. It can also be a particular pot of tea or coffee.

(3). v. If a person or company brews beer, they make it.

(4). n. A brew is particular kind of beer or beer that is produced in a particular place at a particular time.

(5). v. If a storm is brewing, large clouds are beginning to form and the sky is becoming dark because there is going to be storm.

(6). v. If an unpleasant or difficult situation is brewing, it is starting to develop.

(7). n. A brew of several things is a mixture of those things.

This store provides good service including brewing tea for the waiting customers.

5. foremost [ˈfɔːməʊst]

(1). adj. The foremost thing or person in a group is the most important or best.

(2). phrase. You use first and foremost to emphasize the most important quality of something or someone.

He is one of the foremost pianists of our day.

6. drill [drɪl]

(1). n. A drill is a tool or machine that you use for making holes.

(2). v. When you drill into something or drill a hole in something, you make a hole in it using a drill.

(3). v. When people drill for oil or water, they search for it by drilling deep holes in the ground or in the bottom of the sea.

(4). n. A drill is a way that teachers teach their students something by drilling deep holes in the ground or in the bottom of the sea.

(5). v. If you drill people, you teach them to do something by making them repeat it many times.

(6). n. A drill is repeated training for a group of people, especially soldiers, so that they can do something quickly and efficiently.

(7). n. A drill is a routine exercise or activity, in which people practise what they should do in dangerous situations.

(8). n. Drill is thick cotton material which is used for making uniforms and trousers.

(9). n. A drill is a long line in the earth, a few centimetres deep, which a farmer or gardener makes to plant seeds in.

The first oil well was drilled by E. L. Drake, a retired railroad conductor.

7. glamorous [ˈɡlæmərəs]

adj. If you describe someone or something as glamorous, you mean that they are more attractive, exciting, or interesting than ordinary people or things.

The shore of the Italian Riviera is considered to be the most glamorous and picturesque in Europe.

8. amiable [ˈeɪmiəbl]

adj. Someone who is amiable is friendly and pleasant to be with.

The hostess greeted her customers with an amiable smile.

9. stark [stɑːk]

(1). adj. Stark choices or statements are harsh and unpleasant.

(2). adj. If two things are in stark contrast to one another, they are very different from each other in a way that is very obvious.

(3). adj. Something that is stark is very plain in appearance.

The dark stones stand out in stark contrast to the white snow and ice.

10. apprise [əˈpraɪz]

v. When you are apprised of something, someone tells you about it.

My friend was eager to tell me that my thesis was appraised as worthless.

11. bait [beɪt]

(1). n. Bait is food which you put on a hook or in a trap in order to catch fish or animals.

(2). v. If you bait a hook or trap, you put bait on it or in it.

(3). n. To use something as bait means to use it to trick or persuade someone to do something.

(4). v. If you bait someone, you deliberately try to make them angry by teasing them.

(5). phrase. If you take the bait, you react to something that someone has said or done exactly as they intended you to do. The expression rise to the bait is also used, mainly in British English.

It was a tempting bait indeed, and I won't let it slide.

12. brisk [brɪsk]

(1). adj. A brisk activity or action is done quickly and in an energatic way.

(2). adj. If trade or business is brisk, things are being sold very quickly and a lot of money is being made.

(3). adj. If the weather is brisk, it is cold and fresh.

(4). adj. Someone who is brisk behaves in a busy, confident way which shows that they want to get things done quickly.

It's lucky that the weather is good with light brisk winds.

13. intact [ɪnˈtækt]

adj. Something that is intact is complete and has not been damaged or changed.

The ice shelf had remained intact for centuries despite the weather.

14. clasp [klɑːsp]

(1). v. If you clasp someone or something, you hold them tightly in your hands or arms.

(2). n. A clasp is a small device that fastens something.

Mary's necklace fell off because the clasp was loose.

15. prevail [prɪˈveɪl]

(1). v. If a proposal, principle, or opinion prevails, it gains influence or is accepted, often after a struggle or argument.

(2). v. If a situation, attitude, or custom prevails in a particular place at a particular time, it is normal or most common in that place at that time.

(3). v. If one side in a battle, contest, or dispute prevails, it wins.

(4). v. If you prevail upon someone to do something, you succeed in persuading them to do it.

Mostt goods are handmade, and a subsistence economy prevails.

16. dexterous [ˈdekstrəs]

adj. Someone who is dexterous is very skilful and clever with their hands.

I was secretly envious of her when I saw her so dexterous.

17. bountiful [ˈbaʊntɪfl]

(1). adj. A bountiful supply or amount of something pleasant is a large one.

(2). adj. A bountiful area or period of time produces or provides large amounts of something, especially food.

We found a bountiful supply of sea food on the island.

18. cramp [kræmp]

(1). n. Cramp is a sudden strong pain caused by a muscle suddenly contracting. You sometimes get cramp in a muscle after you have been making a physical effort over a long period of time.

(2). phrase. If someone or something cramps your style, their presence or existence restricts your behaviour in some way.

I was seized with the cramp in the cold water when I was swimming.

19. famish ['fæmɪʃ]

They are all resolved rather to die than to famish.

20. cuisine [kwɪˈziːn]

(1). n. The cuisine of a country or district is the style of cooking that is characteristic of that place.

(2). n. The cuisine of a restaurant is the range of food that is served in it.

(3). n. The skill or profession of cooking unusual or interesting food can be referred to as cuisine.

We're going to a restaurant which is famous for its fine French cuisine.

21. domicile [ˈdɒmɪsaɪl]

n. Your domicile is the place where you live.

The applicant must be willing and able to take domicile in Beijing.

22. dwindle [ˈdwɪndl]

v. If something dwindles, it becomes smaller, weaker, or less in number.

You invitations will dwindle and your circle of friends will definitely shrink.

23. slog [slɒɡ]

(1). v. If you slog through something, you work hard and steadily through it.

(2). n. If you describe a task as a slog, you mean that it is tiring and requires a lot of effort.

(3). v. If you slog somewhere, you make a long and tiring journey there.

(4). n. A slog is a long tiring journey.

(5). phrase. If two or more people slog it out, they work very hard to try to be the one who is successful or who has their ideas and wishes accepted.

She started to slog her way through the undergrowth.

24. translucent [trænzˈluːsnt]

(1). adj. If a material is translucent, some light can pass through it.

(2). adj. You use translucent to describe something that has a glowing appearance, as if light is passing through it.

Glass can be colored or colorless, transparent, translucent, or opaque.

25. cohesion [kəʊˈhiːʒn]

n. If there is cohesion within a society, organization, or group, the different members fit  together well and form a united whole.

Social cohesion is the capacity of a society to ensure the well-being of all its members, minimizing disparities and avoiding marginalization.

26. territory [ˈterətri]

(1). n. Territory is land which is controlled by a particular country or ruler.

(2). n. A territory is a country or region that is controlled by another country.

(3). n.  You can use territory to refer to an area of knowledge or experience.

(4). n. An animal's territory is an area which it regards as its own and which it defends when other animals try to enter it.

(5). n. Territory is land with a particular character.

(6). phrase. If you say that something comes with the territory, you mean that you accept it as a natural result of the situation you are in.

How did spiders defend their territory?

27. sneaker [ˈsniːkə(r)]

n. Sneaker are casual shoes with rubber soles.

Those are great sneakers. Were they very expensive?

28. bustle [ˈbʌsl]

(1). v. If someone bustles somewhere, they move there in a hurried way, often because they are very busy.

(2). v. A place that is bustling with people or activity is full of people who are very busy or lively.

(3). n. Bustle is busy, noisy activity.

Many people are tired of the hustle and bustle of city life.

29. mannerism [ˈmænərɪzəm]

n. Someone's mannerism are the gestures or ways of speaking which are very characteristic of them, and which they often use.

She has an annoying mannerism of biting her nails.

30. incense [ˈɪnsens , ɪnˈsens]

(1). n. Incense is a substance that is burned for its sweet smell, often as part of a religious ceremony.

(2). v. If you say that something incenses you, you mean that it makes you extremely angry.

The law incensed the workforce.

31. wary [ˈweəri]

(1). adj. If you are wary of something or someone, you are cautious because you do not know much about them and you believe they may be dangerous or cause problems.

(2). phrase. If you keep a wary eye on something or someone, you are cautious about them and watch them to see what they will do or what happen to them.

Be wary of strangers who offer you a ride.

The farmers keep a wary eye on the weather.

32. laureate [ˈlɒriət]

The old man was a Nobel laureate in physics.

33. disrepute [ˌdɪsrɪˈpjuːt]

phrase. If something is brought into disrepute or falls into disrepute, it loses its good reputation, because it is connected with activities that people do not approve of.

The player's bad behavior on the field is likely to bring the team into disrepute.

34. nauseous [ˈnɔːziəs]

adj. If you feel nauseous, you feel as if you want to vomit.

This prescription is supposed to be effective from paining, but it's maybe too strong for me. I took it when I wokr up in pain in the middle of the night, and now I feel nauseous.

整理自《柯林斯词典》、《新东方托福词汇》，侵删歉。