flower
n
1 part of a plant from which the seed or fruit develops, often brightly coloured and lasting only a short time 花; 花朵
The plant has a brilliant purple flower. 那棵植物开著一朵鲜艳的紫花. =>illus at App 1 见附录1插图, page ii.
2 plant grown for the beauty of its flowers; flower and its stem (供观赏的)开花植物; (带梗的)花
arrange some flowers in a vase 往花瓶里插花.
3 [sing] the ~ of sth (rhet 修辞) finest or best part of sth; prime or peak of sth 精华; 精粹; 精英; 鼎盛阶段
the flower of the nation's youth 该国青年的精英
in the flower of one's maturity/strength/youth 正当成熟[身强力壮/年轻]的时候.
4 (idm 习语) in/into `flower in/into the state of having the flowers open 处於[进入]开花期
The roses have been in flower for a week. 这些玫瑰花已经开了一星期了.
The crocuses are late coming into flower. 藏红花开花晚. flower, v
1 [I] produce flowers; bloom 开花
These plants will flower in the spring. 这些植物到了春天就开花.
a late-flowering chrysanthemum 迟开的菊花.
2 [I] develop fully; mature or blossom 充分发展; 成熟; 繁荣
Their friendship flowered while they were at college. 他们的友谊在求学时已根深蒂固.
I wasn't good at it, and I didn't like studying it.
我不精于此道, 也不爱去学它。
I don't feel up to that.
我觉得不能胜任那工作。
Next, if it is not a story, get an idea of the organization of the book. Read the back cover and the introduction. Look at the pictures and the short texts below them. Turn to the front of the book and look at the contents. This way you can decide whether