Week #13

ambiguity (statement with more than one meaning)

The president’s statement on racial issue is ambiguous, thus offending nobody.

In summer night, the only site open in the Taipei Zoo is Amphibian House. (cf.
antibiotics)
Her attitude was ambivalent, hating and loving him. (cf, equivalent, prevalent)
One of my students is ambidextrous: she takes notes using both hands. (cf.
dexterity)

ambition (desire for success)

All NBA players were ambitious before becoming professional.

The elaborate design of the lobby provides tourists with a relaxing ambiance.
(cf. surroundings, circumstances)
Ancient Roman amphitheaters were circular in plan, with seating tiers
surrounding the performance area. (cf. circus)

diagnosis (identification of illness or problem)

It is essential to have early diagnoses and treatments. (cf. diameter, prognosis)

Try to ignore those who give you unnecessary noises, focus instead on your life
goal. (cf. cognitive, incognito, ignominy)
Before becoming a global corporation, Apple has gone through stages of
metamorphosis since late 70s. (cf. hypnosis, neurosis)

diagram (simple explanatory drawing; chart)

When he gives a speech, he does not need a diagram to facilitate it. (cf.
diameter, dialogue, diabetes)
In cardiology, the doctor often demand patients have cardiograms first. (cf.
program, phonogram, Instagram)

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DOUBLE (two)

I'll give you double pay for working overtime. (cf. duplicate, triple, quadruple,
quintuple, sextuple)
John is the double of his father.
Two stunt doubles were employed for this scene.
Old age has forced Jackie Chan to use doubles
Please use that Xerox to duplicate the report for me. (cf. double)
I doubt that the leader knows what he is doing. (cf. dubious, doubtful)
Jack serves was entitled the dual roles of chairman and chief executive, but he
does nothing. (cf. dual ownership, dual nature, dual citizenship, duel, duet, duo,
dozen)

AGILE (nimble; mentally quick)

Do not envy the Olympic gymnast’s agility, which is years of discipline and
hardwork.
Cockroaches, mice, mosquitoes are agents of infectious diseases. (cf. agent as
a middle man or manager, agency)
American sanctions bring more agony to Iran’s dysfunctional economy.
The politics of dropping the Paris Agreement would agitate the rest of the world
and diminish America’s standing. (Time, 2016)

ACTIVATE (make something capable of action)

You can activate your new credit card by calling this number.
The parliament passed the military act to increase defense spending by 50%.
(cf. action, active, actor, react)
The president see everything as a business transaction, regardless of moral
principles.
What I am telling you now is what exactly happened.

ALTERNATE (following in interchanging pattern; fluctuate)

According to the weather meteorology, there will be a week of alternate rain and

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sunshine. (cf. alternative, alter)
Jack and Diane saw each other on alternate Saturdays.
alternating current

ALIEN (extraterrestrial being; noncitizen of country: outsider)

The president’s deeds are alien to our moral principles. (cf. alienate, alienation,
alias, alibi, altruism)

AMATEUR (somebody doing something for pleasure)

Amateur star-gazers can examine the moon with a telescope, and humans have
stood on it several times since the 1960s. (Economist, 2018)

ENAMOR (charm somebody)

A friend of mine was so enamored of Google Reader that he built a clone when
it died. (the Atlantic, 2017) (cf. amigo, amicable, amiable, Amy, Amanda,
paramour)

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相關例字練習
ambi-, amb-, ambo- (Latin: both, on both sides; around, about; vague;
obscure)  55
ampho-, amph-, amphi- (Greek: around, about, both, on both sides of, both
kinds)  104

ambiguous, ambivalent ambiance

ambiguity ambient
ambiloquent
ambidexterity amphibian
ambidextrous ambition amphitheater
ambitious
ambivalence,

dia-, di- (Greek: through, thoroughly; across; entirely, utterly)  86/W3

diagnosis diagram dialogue

diagonal dialect diameter

duo-, du- (Latin: two)  53

double duplex
dozen dual
duel duo
doubt duet
dubious duplicate duodecimal

ag-, act-, (Latin [agere]: to set in motion, to shake; to drive; to do, to act) 
210

activate act active

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 activity interact agony
action enact
actor ambiguous
agile
actual agent navigate
exact agency
transact agitate

alter- + (Latin: different, other, another; to change)  48

alien alternate
alienate alternative alibi
alienation alternator
alias
alter altruism

amat-, amor-, am- (Latin: love)  21

ami-, amic- (Latin: friend) 19

amateur Amanda amigo

enamor amicable
paramour amiable
amity amorous
Amy