美国语文第六册 第18期:大扫除(7)

 　　This is generally done. 很多家庭都这么做。

　　And though it does not abolish, it at least shortens the period of female dominion¹. 尽管不会废除，但至少缩短了女性居于主导地位的阶段。

　　This paper is decorated with various fancies; and made so ornamental² that the women have admitted the fashion without perceiving the design. 这张纸绘以色彩斑斓的幻想，使其如此富有装饰性，以至于妇女不必理解图样，就能欣然接受时尚。

　　There is also another alleviation³ to the husband's distress⁴. 对于丈夫的痛苦处境而言，还有另一种缓解痛苦的方法。

　　He generally has the sole use of a small room or closet for his books and papers, the key of which he is allowed to keep. 一般来说，他仅会占用一个小房间或者壁橱来放书籍和文件，钥匙则由他掌管。

　　This is considered as a privileged place, even in the whitewashing⁵ season, and stands like the land of Goshen amidst the plagues of Egypt. 这个小房间或者壁橱被认为是享有特权的专有之地，甚至在粉刷季节，也像埃及瘟疫肆虐时的歌珊地（语出《圣经》，出埃及前以色列人住的埃及北部肥沃的牧羊地）一样。

　　But then he must be extremely cautious, and ever upon his guard; 不过在那之后，他必须极为小心谨慎，

　　for, should he inadvertently go abroad and leave the key in his door, the housemaid, who is always on the watch for such an opportunity, immediately enters in triumph with buckets, brooms, and brushes—takes possession of the premises⁶, 以胜利者的姿态马上拎起水桶、拿着扫帚和刷子——仿佛这间房子的主人似的，

　　and forthwith puts all his books and papers "to rights," to his utter confusion, and sometimes serious detriment⁷. 毫不拖延地交出他对自己的书和文件的“权利”，陷入完全混乱的状态，有时则造成严重的损害。

1 dominion   

n.统治，管辖，支配权；领土，版图

参考例句：

• Alexander held dominion over a vast area.亚历山大曾统治过辽阔的地域。
• In the affluent society,the authorities are hardly forced to justify their dominion.在富裕社会里，当局几乎无需证明其统治之合理。

2 ornamental   

adj.装饰的；作装饰用的；n.装饰品；观赏植物

参考例句：

• The stream was dammed up to form ornamental lakes.溪流用水坝拦挡起来,形成了装饰性的湖泊。
• The ornamental ironwork lends a touch of elegance to the house.铁艺饰件为房子略添雅致。

3 alleviation   

n. 减轻，缓和，解痛物

参考例句：

• These were the circumstances and the hopes which gradually brought alleviation to Sir Thomas's pain. 这些情况及其希望逐渐缓解了托马斯爵士的痛苦。
• The cost reduction achieved in this way will benefit patients and the society in burden alleviation. 集中招标采购降低的采购成本要让利于患者，减轻社会负担。 来自英汉 - 翻译样例 - 口语

4 distress   

n.苦恼，痛苦，不舒适；不幸；vt.使悲痛

参考例句：

• Nothing could alleviate his distress.什么都不能减轻他的痛苦。
• Please don't distress yourself.请你不要忧愁了。

5 whitewashing   

粉饰，美化，掩饰( whitewash的现在分词 )； 喷浆

参考例句：

• Tom went on whitewashing the fence, paying no attention to Ben. 汤姆没有理睬本，继续在粉刷着篱笆。
• When whitewashing the wall, he painted with a roller in his hand. 刷墙的时候，他手里拿个辊子，挥舞着胳膊。

6 premises   

n.建筑物，房屋

参考例句：

• According to the rules,no alcohol can be consumed on the premises.按照规定，场内不准饮酒。
• All repairs are done on the premises and not put out.全部修缮都在家里进行，不用送到外面去做。

7 detriment   

n.损害；损害物，造成损害的根源

参考例句：

• Smoking is a detriment to one's health.吸烟危害健康。
• His lack of education is a serious detriment to his career.他的未受教育对他的事业是一种严重的妨碍。