美国文化解读要点.doc

Unit 5
Chapter 13 The Constitution and the Federal System
New Words
1. enact vt. to make a proposal in law
Congress refused to enact the bill
2. enforce vt. to make people obey a rule or law
Governments make laws and the police enforce them.
　 Parking restrictions will be strictly enforced.
3. veto n./vt. (vetoed, vetoing, vetoes) 否决权，否决
vt.
if someone in authority vetoes something, they refuse to allow it to happen, especially something that other people or organizations have agreed (=disapprove of)
veto legislation/a measure/a proposal etc
　President Bush vetoed the bill on July 6.
to refuse to accept a particular plan or suggestion
　Jenny wanted to invite all her friends, but I quickly vetoed that idea .
n.
Permanent members of the United Nations Security Council have a veto over any proposal.
联合国安全理事会常任理事国对一切提案均有否决权.
Japan used her veto to block the resolution. 日本使用了否决权反对该项决议.
4. override vt. (overrode overridden)
disregard or set aside (sb's opinions, etc) 不顾, 不理会（某人意见等）: override sb's views, decisions, wishes, etc 无视某人的看法﹑ 决定﹑ 愿望等 * They overrode my protest and continued with the meeting. 他们不顾我的抗议仍继续开会.
be more important than (sth) 比（某事物）更重要: Considerations of safety override all other concerns. 对安全的考虑压倒一切.
overriding adj [usu attrib 通常作定语] more important than any other considerations 首要的:
It is of overriding importance to finish the project this week. 最重要的是本星期要完成这一项目.
5. consular adj. 领事的
6. resignation n. 辞职 resign vt.
7. void adj. 无效的
8. amendment n. [U and C]
a small change, improvement, or addition that is made to a law or document, or the process of doing this
　constitutional amendments
amendment to
　an amendment to the resolution
9. convention n. 代表大会，习俗，惯例，协定
10. prosecutor n. 检察官
11. impeachment n. 弹劾
12. stray vi. 偏离
My mind kept straying from the discussion (to other things). 我在讨论时总是走神（去想别的事情）. * Don't stray (away) from the point. 不要离题
13. repeal vt. /n. withdraw (a law, etc) officially; revoke 废止（法规等）; 撤消; 取消
14. repulsive a. extremely unpleasant, in a way that almost makes you feel sick = revolting, disgusting
The sight of him is repulsive to me. 我一看见他就十分反感.
15. controversy n. 争议，争论 controversial a. 有争议的
16. discriminate vi./vt.
vi.
to treat a person or group differently from another in an unfair way
discriminate against
　Under federal law, it is illegal to discriminate against minorities and women.
discriminate on the grounds/basis of sth
　It was found that the company still discriminated on the basis of race in promotions.
vi./vt.
to recognize a difference between things= differentiate
discriminate between
　Newborn babies can discriminate between a man's and a woman's voice.
discriminate sth from sth
17. provision n.
a condition in an agreement or law
　The agreement includes a provision for each side to check the other side's weapons.
under the provisions of sth
　Under the provisions of the Act, employers must supply safety equipment.
18. jurisdiction n. 司法权, 管辖权, 审判权
19. subdivision n. 分支，分部

Useful Expressions:
立法部门 行政部门 司法部门
立法委员 立法机关，议会
参议院(上议院) 参议员
众议院(下议院) 众议员/国会议员
选区 议案
最高法院
违反宪法条款
制约与平衡
经受考验
涉嫌妨碍司法公正
水门事件
三权分立
隐瞒消息
宪法程序
保持航向
权利法案
在…中心，核心
政教分离
州议会
联邦政府法院
预审法院 上诉法院 最高法院
经历诸多危机与批评