for fear the agents of other firms should be able to trace the kind of research they are likely to be undertaking.
他们生怕别的公司的情报人员据此摸到他们可能要从事的某项科研项目。
新概念英语第四册
Lesson 15 Secrecy in industry
📚 句中词汇解析
从本句中提取的重要词汇
vt. 跟踪，追踪;追溯，探索;探索;查找;
vi. 沿着一小径或道路前进;可以追溯的;
n. 痕迹，踪迹;微量，极少量;[植]（脉）迹;痕迹;
💡 trace(draw)→回溯
"Trace an analogy between pastoral poetry and landscape painting."
找出田园诗和风景画之间的相似之处.
近义：hound, scribe, sketch, sleuth, spoor, track
n. 研究，追究;探讨，探测;调查;探索;
vi. 做研究;探究;（从市场调研中）得出所预测的结果;
vt. 从事…的研究，为…而做研究;
💡 re(again)+search(to go round)→研究；调查
"Recent research has cast new light on the causes of the disease."
最新研究使人们进一步了解了这种疾病的起因.
近义：inquire, investigate, ask, probe, sleuth, study
adj. 可能的;适合的;有希望的;
adv. 可能;或许;大概;多半;
💡 like可能 + ly...的\/地 → a.可能的 ad.很可能
"Rice flour makes the cake less likely to crumble."
这种糕饼用米粉做不那么容易碎。
近义：inclined, apt, liable, ostensible, plausible, possible
反义：imaginary, implausible, improbable, unbelievable, uncertain, utopical
n. 企业;事业;殡仪事业;保证;
v. 担任( undertake的现在分词);着手作;
💡 under下+tak进行+ing名词后缀→承诺；事业，企业，殡仪业
"He is interested in buying the club as a commercial undertaking."
他有意购买那个俱乐部作为投资。
近义：job, management, assignment, mission, negotiation, plan
n. 害怕;可能性;（对神等的）敬畏;忧虑;
vt. 畏惧;害怕;为…忧虑（或担心、焦虑）;敬畏（神等）;
vi. 害怕;忧虑;感到害怕;惧怕;
💡 f(像宝剑)+ear(耳):把宝剑放在耳边威胁- 害怕 网友：zz 补充：f 扶-捂 ear 耳朵 把耳朵捂起来 因为点炮仗害怕
"Being seriously ill, and in fear of death, he made his will."
他病得很重, 害怕会死去, 便立了遗嘱.
近义：apprehend, dread, intimidation, panic, awe, terror
反义：hearten, embolden, encourage, heart, intrepidity, manhood