principal adj.主要的

同chief, foremost, prime, main, leading

The principal aim of this plan is to find a way to help students improve their study habits.

这项计划的主要目标是找出一种帮助学生改善读书习惯的方法。

quibble n.遁辞

同evasion, equivocation, sophism

David has a quibble with my idea of buying new computers for the office.对我提出为办公室购买新电脑一事，戴维避而不答。

rampant adj.蔓延的；猖獗的；猛烈的

同widespread, rife, uncontrollable, excessive

You cannot allow children to rampant through the museum.

你不能任由小孩子在博物馆里乱跑。

reluctant adj.不情愿的

同unwilling, loath, averse, hesitant

Bert was reluctant to tell his mother the washing machine was broken again.伯特不愿告诉母亲洗衣机又坏了。

retreat v.撤退

同withdraw, recede, draw back

The soldiers retreated back to their camp in the hills.

士兵们撤回到山上的营地中。

sanction n.①批准②制裁

同1.confirmation, permission 2.boycott, penalty

The city government gave its sanction to the library to build a new wing.市政府批准图书馆兴建新的分馆。

setback n.挫折；后退

同backslide, defeat

Our building plans suffered a setback when a strong typhoon destroyed our building site.

强劲的台风摧毁了工地，使我们兴建大楼的计划停滞。

smear v.涂脏；中伤

同stain, besmirch, smudge

The children playing outside had smeared mud all over their clothes, faces and hands.

孩子们在屋外玩耍，用泥巴把衣服、脸和手都弄得脏兮兮的。

spur v.刺激

同incite, arouse, instigate, stir up

Her coach's encouragement helped spur Heather to run faster and win the race.

教练的鼓励刺激了希瑟，使她跑得更快并赢得了比赛。

stringent adj.严厉的

同strict, exacting, severe, forceful, rigorous

The military is famous for its stringent regulations of dress and behavior.军队以其严格的着装要求和行为规范而著称。