英語中有不少單詞，其本身存在互相矛盾的兩個意思，如果不弄清楚，有時會給我們的英語閱讀帶來一定困擾。特定情況下，聯(lián)系上下文語境即可弄清它們的具體意思。

21. compromise“和解，讓步”&“危害，損害”

In the end I agreed to compromise.
最終我同意讓步。

The virus will compromise our immune system.
這種病毒會損害我們的免疫系統(tǒng)。

22. bolt“逃跑”&“鎖住”

The horse bolted at the sound of the shot.
那匹馬聽到槍聲后跑走了。

You'd better bolt your doors.
你最好鎖上門。

23. trip“旅行”&“絆倒”

The trip from York to Newcastle takes about an hour by train.
乘火車從約克到紐卡斯爾大約要花1個小時。

She had a nasty trip on the stairs.
她在樓梯上重重地絆了一跤。

24. apology“道歉，謝罪”&“辯解，解釋”

Please accept my apology.
請接受我的道歉。

The consequence of those measures will be the best apology for my conduct.
這些措施產(chǎn)生的后果為我的行為做了最佳詮釋。

25. consult“尋求咨詢”&“提供咨詢”

If you have any questions, consult an attorney.
你有任何問題，都可以咨詢律師。

The retired executive consults for several large companies.
這位退休高管為好幾家大公司提供咨詢。

26. custom“慣常，習(xí)慣”&“特殊的，定制的”

He left the house at nine exactly, as is his custom.
他9點準時離開了家，這是他的習(xí)慣。

Justin Bieber looks suave in his custom suit.
穿上了定制西裝的賈斯汀·比伯展現(xiàn)了儒雅風(fēng)范。

27. first-degree“最低級”&“最高級”

first-degree burn
一度燒傷（處于燒傷級別的低級）

first-degree murder
一級謀殺（處于謀殺級別的高級）

28. enjoin“囑咐”&“禁止”

He enjoined caution.
他囑咐要謹慎行事。

The government enjoined the publication of the book.
當(dāng)局禁止出版這本書。

29. bound“去往，前往”&“束縛，綁縛”

She was on a plane bound for Moscow.
她在前往莫斯科的飛機上。

We found the girl bound.
我們發(fā)現(xiàn)女孩被綁起來了。

30. seed“播撒種子”&“去掉種子”

He is seeding the fields with wheat.
他在地里種小麥。

Wash, seed and cut the pepper into small pieces.
將辣椒洗凈，去籽，切成小片。

31. dollop“（固態(tài)的）一團，一塊”&“（液態(tài)的）一點，少許”

a dollop of whipped cream
一團生奶油

a dollop of whiskey
少量威士忌

32. garnish“增添配菜”&“扣錢”

Garnish the dish with parsley before serving.
這道菜端上桌之前，可以在上面配些歐芹點綴一下。

His employer garnished his wages in order to pay his debt.
雇主扣除了他的一部分工資用于支付他所欠的債務(wù)。

33. lease“（房東）出租”&“（租客）租用”

It was agreed they would lease him the flat.
按照約定他們要把公寓租給他。

He went to Toronto, where he leased an apartment.
他去了多倫多，在那兒租下一間公寓。

34. out of“在外”&“在內(nèi)”

I hardly get out of the house because I work out of my home.
我?guī)缀醪怀鑫荩驗槲以诩依镛k公。

注意：第一個out of表示“在……之外”，第二個out of表示“在……之內(nèi)”。

35. model“榜樣的，優(yōu)于別人的”&“按原樣復(fù)制的模型”

She really is a model student.
她真是個模范學(xué)生。

There is a model of a wooden house.
這兒有一個木屋模型。

36. presently“現(xiàn)在”&“不久之后”

Of 200 boats, only 20 are presently operational.
200條船中，目前只有20條可用。

The room was hot and presently her eyes grew heavy and she began to feel sleepy.
屋子里很熱，不一會兒她就覺得眼皮發(fā)沉，昏昏欲睡。

37. out“亮了”&“滅了”

It's a good thing the full moon was out when the lights went out.
熄燈之后，滿月出來了。很好。

注意：第一個out表示“出來”，第二個out表示“滅掉”。

38. resign“辭職”&“重新簽署”

She resigned as director.
她辭去了董事職務(wù)。

Athletes who renew their contracts resign with their teams.
想要續(xù)簽的運動員都與各自的隊重新簽署了合約。

注意：第二句里的resign也可以寫作re-sign，發(fā)音不同于“辭職”的resign。

39. fight with“與……打架”&“與……并肩戰(zhàn)斗”

He fought with his mother-in-law.
他和岳母吵架了。

He fought with his mother-in-law.
他和岳母并肩戰(zhàn)斗。

注意：還是這句英文，意思也可以理解為“他以岳母為武器進行戰(zhàn)斗”。

40. unbending“倔強的；堅定的”&“放松，隨意”

He has earned a reputation as a stern and unbending politician.
作為政治家，他以強硬和不妥協(xié)而聞名。

After a glass or two of wine she began unbending a little.
一兩杯酒下肚后她開始放松了一點兒。

（中國日報網(wǎng)英語點津 杜娟）