ジャパンタイムズ社説集06年上半期p128 ~ 138

128. tangible = definite and able to be seen or touched

prudent = sensible and careful

130. underscore = underline, emphasize ( that something is important )

134. back to square one = back to the starting point

dread = feel very worried about

cripple = seriously damage

accede to = come to ( a high position )

136. archaic = very old-fashioned

giddy = dizzy, feeling of unsteady movement

138. repugnant = nasty, very unpleasant and offensive

virulent = full of bitter hatred

ジャパンタイムズ社説集06年上半期p104 ~ 126

104. seep = flow there slowly ( through small holes )

106. speculate = buy things to sell later in the hope of profit

108. ride out = come out of ( a difficult situation )

114. uphold = support ( a law or decision )

116. proceedings = legal actions in a law court

feeble = extremely weak

118. atrocious = very bad or cruel

124. attire = clothes

defiance = disobedience

126. maxim = a phrase giving advice on sensible behavior

ジャパンタイムズ社説集06年上半期p86 ~ 102

86. it remains to be seen = we do not know yet

nudge = push ( something ) gently ( with the elbow )

all but = almost completely

88. sap = gradually make ~ weaker

92. across-the-board = affecting everyone or everything

94. set in = ( something unpleasant ) begin and is likely to continue

hike = increase

96. mount = organize and begin

dwindle = gradually become less or smaller

98. account for = be a particular part of an amount

102. brace for = prepare for ( something unpleasant )

undermine = gradually make ~ less strong or effective

ジャパンタイムズ社説集06年上半期p70 ~ 84

70. say officially what rules must be obeyed

leeway = freedom ( to do what you want )

soul-searching = deep examination of one's mind and conscience

72. foster = encourage ( a feeling or skill ) to develop

preamble = a statement at the beginning of a book or speech

subscribe to = agree with ( an idea or opinion )

74. sentiment = an opinion or feeling about something

far-fetched = very unlikely to be true, hard to believe

inertia = the force keeping an object in the same state

82. lift = remove ( a rule or law )

marginal = very small or unimportant

dog = cause trouble ( for a long time )

speculate = guess ( why something happened or what will happen next )

84. collateral = property promised as security for a debt

prop = support ( for something heavy )

linger = does not disappear for a long time

benchmark = something used for comparing and measuring other things

vis-a-vis = compared with

ジャパンタイムズ社説集06年上半期p60 ~ 66

60. municipality = a town or city, etc. with its own local government

contingency = an event or situation that could cause problems

theater = area of activity in a war

62. envisage = think ( that something will be possible in the future )

deviate = change and become different from what is normal

aberration = something completely different from what usually happens

64. revert to = go back to ( a previous situation, owner, etc. )

ジャパンタイムズ社説集06年上半期p52 ~ 56

52. helm = tiller, the wheel or control guiding a ship

quest = a long and difficult search

wrest A from B = take A from B with force

schism = separation between parts originally together

hone = improve ( a skill )

54. asset = something or someone that helps you to succeed

be instrumental in doing = be helpful in doing

high-handed = using power too forcefully

56. strife = trouble or disagreement between people

conciliatory = trying to end an argument between people

会話する英文法Ｑ＆Ａ 53 ~ 72

53. for hours = for a long time

54. prepare oneself for = make plans or arrangements for

55. dispose of = get rid of

56. meet with = have a meeting with

58. at the moment = now

59. miss = be too late for

64. make fun of = make unkind jokes about

take care of = deal with ( something that needs doing )

65. throw away = get rid of

72. close down = ( a shop or business ) stop existing or operating

ジャパンタイムズ社説集06年上半期p42 ~ 46

42. hover = stay in one place in the air

rise to the occasion = deal successfully with a difficult situation

44. purge = remove ( unwanted things, etc. )

statute = a law or rule

vocational training = training for a job

out-manueuver = cleverly achieve

debacle = a complete failure

46. plummet = suddenly and quickly decrease

fickle = often changing

back down = agree not to do

deter ( someone ) from doing = make ( someone ) not want to do