[46] fragile [ˋfrædʒəl] adj. （情势）脆弱的，禁不起外力冲击的

【同】unstable

A revenue-generating franchise is the most fragile thing in the world … No matter how good your product, you are only 18 months away from failure. (TIME, June 5, 1995, p.32)

世界上最不可靠的，莫过于来自特许经销权的收入。产品再好，也只有18个月免于淘汰的安全期。

frag|ile /fr'ædʒaɪl, AM -dʒ^əl/
1 [ADJ]
If you describe a situation as fragile, you mean that it is weak or uncertain, and unlikely to be able to resist strong pressure or attack. (JOURNALISM)
The fragile economies of several southern African nations could be irreparably damaged...
His overall condition remained fragile.
= unstable
● fragility [N-UNCOUNT] oft N of n
By mid-1988 there were clear indications of the extreme fragility of the Right-wing coalition.
2 [ADJ]
Something that is fragile is easily broken or damaged.
He leaned back in his fragile chair.
≠ sturdy
● fragility [N-UNCOUNT] oft N of n
Older drivers are more likely to be seriously injured because of the fragility of their bones.

翻译时候要体现出不稳定。

 

[47] futile [ˋfjutl] adj. 徒劳无功的，白费力气的

【同】pointless

Indeed, for all the world’s governments, … attempts to control the global flow of electro-information are not only futile but counter productive as well.

(TIME, Spring 1995 Special Issue: Welcome to Cyberspace, p.80)

试图控制电子资讯的全球流动，不仅枉然而且会带来副作用，对世界各国政府而言，这是毋庸置疑的事。

fu|tile /fj'uːtaɪl, AM -t^əl/
[ADJ] oft it v-link ADJ to-inf
If you say that something is futile, you mean there is no point in doing it, usually because it has no chance of succeeding.
He brought his arm up in a futile attempt to ward off the blow...
It would be futile to sustain his life when there is no chance of any improvement.
= pointless

翻译成枉然很有水平。

 

[48] genuine [ˋdʒɛnjʊɪn] adj. 1.真的，非伪造的；2.真诚的，非伪装的

【同】1.real 2.sincere 【反】fake

It is a challenge to portray a forsaken woman in a way that evokes genuine sympathy; but Stevens manages. (TIME, Feb.6, 1995, p.75)

把弃妇描写得令人由衷生起恻隐之心，不是件易事，但史蒂文斯做到了。

♦ genu|ine /dʒ'enjuɪn/
1 [ADJ] usu ADJ n
Genuine is used to describe people and things that are exactly what they appear to be, and are not false or an imitation.
There was a risk of genuine refugees being returned to Vietnam.
...genuine leather...
They're convinced the picture is genuine.
≠ fake
2 [ADJ]
Genuine refers to things such as emotions that are real and not pretended.
There was genuine joy in this room...
If this offer is genuine I will gladly accept it.
= sincere
● genuinely [ADV]
He was genuinely surprised.
● genuineness [N-UNCOUNT] usu with supp
He needed at least three days to assess the genuineness of their intentions.
3 [ADJ]
If you describe a person as genuine, you approve of them because they are honest, truthful, and sincere in the way they live and in their relationships with other people.
She is very caring and very genuine.
● genuineness [N-UNCOUNT]
I have no doubt about their genuineness.

可以用来形容人。

[49] hefty [ˋhɛftɪ] adj. 重大的，猛烈的

Chow Yun Fat is angling for Hollywood stardom; this time next year he could be in any of three hefty action films. (TIME, June 29, 1996, p40)

周润发正设法到好莱坞摘星，明年此时，他可能已在拍3部火爆动作片中的一部。

█ angle v. 钓鱼；

   to angle for…指（用暗示、手段、诡计等）谋取，博取；

   stardom n. 明星的地位或身份

hefty /h'efti/ (heftier heftiest)
1 [ADJ] usu ADJ n
Hefty means large in size, weight, or amount. (INFORMAL)
She was quite a hefty woman...
If he is found guilty he faces a hefty fine.
2 [ADJ] usu ADJ n
A hefty movement is done with a lot of force. (INFORMAL)
Lambert gave Luckwell a hefty shove to send him on his way.

这句话很地道。

 

[50] hostile [ˋhɑstl] adj. 带敌意的

【同】antagonistic 【反】receptive

Unlike most baseball-playing countries, Cuba has no professional league to cream off its top talent, and hostile relations with Washington keep its elite from migrating to the U.S. major league.

(TIME, Feb.5, 1996, p.13)

古巴与大部分棒球国家不同，它没有职业棒球联盟，所以不愁顶尖高手被挖角。它与华盛顿交恶，所以棒球精英也不会移民去打美国甲级联盟。

█ to cream off…挑出（最好的部分），提取（精华）

hos|tile /h'ɒstaɪl, AM -t^əl/
1 [ADJ] oft ADJ to/towards n
If you are hostile to another person or an idea, you disagree with them or disapprove of them, often showing this in your behaviour.
Many people felt he would be hostile to the idea of foreign intervention...
The West has gradually relaxed its hostile attitude to this influential state...
2 [ADJ]
Someone who is hostile is unfriendly and aggressive.
Drinking may make a person feel relaxed and happy, or it may make her hostile, violent, or depressed...
= aggressive
3 [ADJ]
Hostile situations and conditions make it difficult for you to achieve something.
If this round of talks fails, the world's trading environment is likely to become increasingly hostile.
4 [ADJ]
A hostile takeover bid is one that is opposed by the company that is being bid for. (BUSINESS)
Kingfisher launched a hostile bid for Dixons.
5 [ADJ] ADJ n
In a war, you use hostile to describe your enemy's forces, organizations, weapons, land, and activities.
The city is encircled by a hostile army...
= enemy

可以用来形容时局。