◆Unit 4

brake [ breɪk ]

常考 n. 抑制因素；约束 ：something used to slow down or stop movement or activity

近义 bit, bridle, check, constrain, curb, hold, hold back, hold down, hold in, inhibit, keep, keep back, pull in, rein

举例 Illness had put a brake on his progress.

疾病使他的进展放缓。

branch [ brɑ:ntʃ ]

常考1 n. （企业或组织的）分支机构 ：a branch of a business or other organization is one of the offices, shops, or groups which belong to it and which are located in different places

近义 affiliate, division, subsidiary

举例 The local branch of Bank of America is handling the accounts.

常考2 n. （某学科的）分支，分科 ：a branch of a subject is a part or type of it.

近义 discipline, specialty

举例 Whole branches of science may not receive any grants.

常考3 n. 河的支流 ：a divergent section of a river , especially near the mouth

近义 brook, creek

举例 a branch near my house 家门附近的小溪

brandish [ 'brændɪʃ ]

常考1 v. 威胁性地挥动；挥舞 ：to wave or flourish (a weapon, for example) menacingly

近义 flourish, sweep, wave

举例 He appeared in the lounge brandishing a knife.

常考2 v. 炫耀地显示；挑衅地展示 ：to exhibit in an ostentatious or aggressive manner

近义 display, disport, exhibit, expose, flash, flaunt, parade, show (off), sport

举例 The demonstrators brandished banners and shouted slogans.

brash [ bræʃ ]

常考 adj. 鲁莽的；冲动的 ：hasty and unthinking; impetuous , rash

近义 foolhardy, harum-scarum, hasty, headlong, hotheaded, ill-considered, impetuous, improvident, impulsive, incautious, madcap, precipitant, precipitate, rash, reckless, slapdash, temerarious, unconsidered

举例 brash acts 鲁莽的行动

brassy [ 'brɑ:sɪ ]

常考1 adj. 厚颜无耻的；无礼的 ： shamelessly bold , brazen; insolent

近义 bald-faced, barefaced, blatant, brazen, brazenfaced, shameless, unabashed, unblushing

举例 a brassy reporter 厚颜无耻的记者

常考2 adj. 浮夸的，俗气的 ： cheap and showy ; flashy

近义 cheap, flash, flashy, garish, gaudy, gimcrack, meretricious, tacky, tatty, tawdry, trashy

举例 the brassy blonde behind the bar 酒吧柜台里衣着艳俗的金发女郎

bravado [ brə'vɑ:dəʊ ]

常考1 n. 虚张声势，逞能 ： defiant or swaggering behavior

举例 strove to prevent our courage from turning into bravado.

常考2 n. 故作勇敢 ：a pretense of courage ; a false show of bravery

举例 Take no notice of his threats, they’re sheer bravado.

bravura [ brə'vjʊərə ]

常考1 adj. 精彩的，华丽的 ：marked by a dazzling display of skill

近义 adroit, artful, deft, delicate, dexterous, expert, masterful, masterly, practiced, virtuoso, workmanlike

举例 a bravura performance from Durham’s scorer, Brian Hunt.

常考2 n. 精湛技艺 ： brilliant technique or style in performance

举例 The film is directed with a technical bravura and visual splendor.

brazen [ 'breɪzn ]

常考 adj. 厚颜无耻的，肆无忌惮的 ：marked by flagrant and insolent audacity

近义 bald-faced, barefaced, blatant, brazenfaced, shameless, unabashed, unblushing

举例 They showed a brazen disregard for her privacy.

breach [ bri:tʃ ]

常考 v. 违反，破坏（条约、法律或承诺） ：to break or violate (an agreement, a law, or a promise, for example

近义 break, contravene, infringe, transgress, violate

举例 The newspaper breached the code of conduct on privacy.

breathtaking [ 'breθteɪkɪŋ ]

常考 adj. 激动人心的；壮观的 ：extremely beautiful or amazing

近义 exciting, thrilling, astonishing

举例 Some of their football was breathtaking, a delight to watch. 6sdN79EcTqsSs8Kx1cfHuGXyAmnNIcCQS85eeeyL3mJs5PcoZyOSPhoEJkCzGCfe