Day 1

1.elliptical adj.椭圆的, 像椭圆形的;(指语言)难懂的, 晦涩的

2.notably=noteworthy

3.→...stubbed his toe on a large stone.

-To pull up (weeds) by the roots.

-To clear (a field) of weeds.

-To strike (one's toe or foot) against something accidentally.

-To snuff out (a cigarette butt) by crushing.

4.commonsense view  adj.有常识的；一望而知的

【近】reasonable

"I'm here today because the time has come for a commonsense, comprehensive immigration reform.

"我今天来到这里是因为合乎常理的全面移民改革时机已经到来。

5.→ Nevertheless,Roemer’s achievement, in not only proving that light travels at a finite speed.

-finite:having an end or a limit

the earth's finite resources

6.→The fundamental postulate of the theory of relativity ...  假设、假定

-Something assumed without proof as being self-evident or generally accepted, especially when used as a basis for an argument:"the postulate that there is little moral difference between the superpowers"(Henry A. Kissinger).

-A fundamental element; a basic principle.

7.→An equally remarkable consequence of relativity is the way it has revolutionized our ideas of space and time.

8.→it was also to be the starting point for my work in theoretical physics.开端

→Newton’s laws of motion put an end to the idea of absolute position in space.结束