1. perpetual

1. continuing for a long time period of time without interruption

We lived for years in a perpetual state of fear.

2. frequently repeated, in a way that is annoying

How can I work with these perpetual interruptions?

my mother's perpetual nagging.

3. (of a job or position) lasting for the whole of sb's life

He was elected perpetual president.

2. empirical

based on experiments or experience rather than ideas or theories

empirical evidence / knowledge / research / study

3. pick holes in sth

to find mistakes in something someone has done or said, to show that it is not good or not corret

It was easy to pick holes in his argument.

4. falsify

If someone falsifies something, they change it or add untrue details to it in order to deceive people.

The file was altered to falsify the evidence.

5. speculative

1. based on guessing, not on information or facts

The papers ran speculative stories about the mysterious disappearance of Eddie Donagan...

2. Someone who has a speculative expression seems to be trying to guess something about a person or thing.

His mother regarded him with a speculative eye.

3. (of business activity) done in the hope of making a profit but involving the risk of losing money

6. compelling

1. that makes you pay attention to it because it is so interesting and exciting

Her latest book makes compelling reading.

His life makes a compelling story.

2. so strong that you must do sth about it

a compelling need / desire

He felt a compelling need to tell someone about his idea.

3. that makes you think it is true

compelling reason / argument/ case etc.

7. deflection

the action of making something change its direction

the deflection of the missile away from its target

8. cathode

A cathode is the negative electrode in a cell such as a battery.

9. anode

In electronics, an anode is the positive electrode in a cell such as a battery.

10. apparatus

1. the tools or other pieces of equipment that are needed for a particular activity or task

a piece of laboratory apparatus

Firefighters needed breathing apparatus to enter the burning house.

2. the structure of a system or an organization, particularly that of a political party or a government

the power of the state apparatus

11. supernova

a very large exploding star 超新星

12. ingenious

1. (of an object, a plan, an idea, etc.) very suitable for a particular purpose and resulting from clever

new ideas

an ingenious device

ingenious ways of saving energy

His plots are always very ingenious.

2. (of a person) having a lot of clever new ideas and good at inventing thingsan ingenious cook

She's very ingenious when it comes to finding excuses.

13. quash

1. (law) to officially say that a decision made by a court is no longer valid or correct

His conviction was later quashed by the Court of Appeal.

2. to take action to stop something from continuing

The rumours were quickly quashed.

The government moved quickly to quash the revolt.

14. combustion

the process of burning

Poisonous gases are produced during fossil fuel combustion.

15. chromosome

one of the very small structures like threads in the nuclei(=central parts) of animal and plant cells, that

carry the genes 染色体

Humans have 23 pairs of chromosomes in their cells.

16. albeit

(formal) although

He finally agreed, albeit reluctantly, to help us.

17. Philosophiæ Naturalis Principia Mathematica

Mathematical Principles of Natural Philosophy 自然哲学的数学原理

18. artillery

large, heavy guns which are often moved on wheels 火炮

The town is under heavy artillery fire.

artillery attacks / barrages / shells

the artillery [singular] the section of an army trained to use these guns 炮兵部队

He was a captain in the Royal Artillery.

19. meteorologist

a scientist who studiesmeteorology 气象学家

20. theology

1. the study of religion and beliefs

a degree in Theology

a theology student

2. a set of religious beliefs

the theologies of the East