Clinton formally steps down as U.S. secretary of state

 　　WASHINGTON, Feb. 1 (Xinhua) -- Hillary Clinton on Friday formally stepped down as the 67th U.S. Secretary of State, ending her four- year tenure¹ as the country's chief diplomat².

　　"Thank you," Clinton said in her farewell remarks at the lobby of the State Department building. "Just standing³ here looking out at all of you, the people I have been honored to serve and lead and work with over the last four years, is an incredible experience."

　　Since taking office in January of 2009, Clinton has visited 112 countries and covered over 950,000 miles, which makes her one of the most-traveled secretaries of state in U.S. history.

　　But her legacy⁴ has also been marred⁵ by the deadly Sept. 11 attack on the U.S. consulate⁶ in Benghazi, Libya last year, which killed U.S. ambassador to Libya Christopher Stevens and three other Americans. The State Department has been under harsh criticism for its inadequate⁷ protection of the U.S. mission.

　　In her remarks, Clinton admitted that the Americans are living in "complex and even dangerous times", citing the fresh attack on the U.S. embassy in the Turkish capital of Ankara on Friday.

　　"I am very proud to have been secretary of state. I will miss you," she told the State Department staff. "On a personal basis, let me wish all of you the very best."

　　Finishing her remarks, Clinton stepped out of the lobby and left the State Department building in a dark-blue limousine⁸.

　　Democratic Senator John Kerry has been sworn in as the new secretary of state in a private ceremony on Friday, shortly after Clinton left office. State Department will hold a welcoming ceremony for Kerry on Monday.

1 tenure   

n.终身职位；任期；(土地)保有权，保有期

参考例句：

• He remained popular throughout his tenure of the office of mayor.他在担任市长的整个任期内都深得民心。
• Land tenure is a leading political issue in many parts of the world.土地的保有权在世界很多地区是主要的政治问题。

2 diplomat   

n.外交官，外交家；能交际的人，圆滑的人

参考例句：

• The diplomat threw in a joke, and the tension was instantly relieved.那位外交官插进一个笑话，紧张的气氛顿时缓和下来。
• He served as a diplomat in Russia before the war.战前他在俄罗斯当外交官。

3 standing   

n.持续，地位；adj.永久的，不动的，直立的，不流动的

参考例句：

• After the earthquake only a few houses were left standing.地震过后只有几幢房屋还立着。
• They're standing out against any change in the law.他们坚决反对对法律做任何修改。

4 legacy   

n.遗产，遗赠；先人(或过去)留下的东西

参考例句：

• They are the most precious cultural legacy our forefathers left.它们是我们祖先留下来的最宝贵的文化遗产。
• He thinks the legacy is a gift from the Gods.他认为这笔遗产是天赐之物。

5 marred   

adj. 被损毁, 污损的

参考例句：

• The game was marred by the behaviour of drunken fans. 喝醉了的球迷行为不轨，把比赛给搅了。
• Bad diction marred the effectiveness of his speech. 措词不当影响了他演说的效果。

6 consulate   

n.领事馆

参考例句：

• The Spanish consulate is the large white building opposite the bank.西班牙领事馆是银行对面的那栋高大的白色建筑物。
• The American consulate was a magnificent edifice in the centre of Bordeaux.美国领事馆是位于波尔多市中心的一座宏伟的大厦。

7 inadequate   

adj.(for,to)不充足的，不适当的

参考例句：

• The supply is inadequate to meet the demand.供不应求。
• She was inadequate to the demands that were made on her.她还无力满足对她提出的各项要求。

8 limousine   

n.豪华轿车

参考例句：

• A chauffeur opened the door of the limousine for the grand lady.司机为这个高贵的女士打开了豪华轿车的车门。
• We arrived in fine style in a hired limousine.我们很气派地乘坐出租的豪华汽车到达那里。