for fear the agents of other firms should be able to trace the kind of research they are likely to be undertaking.
他們生怕別的公司的情報人員據此摸到他們可能要從事的某項科研項目。
新概念英語第四冊
Lesson 15 Secrecy in industry
?? 句中詞匯解析
從本句中提取的重要詞匯
vt. 跟蹤，追蹤;追溯，探索;探索;查找;
vi. 沿著一小徑或道路前進;可以追溯的;
n. 痕跡，蹤跡;微量，極少量;[植]（脈）跡;痕跡;
?? trace(draw)→回溯
"Trace an analogy between pastoral poetry and landscape painting."
找出田園詩和風景畫之間的相似之處.
近義：hound, scribe, sketch, sleuth, spoor, track
n. 研究，追究;探討，探測;調查;探索;
vi. 做研究;探究;（從市場調研中）得出所預測的結果;
vt. 從事…的研究，為…而做研究;
?? re(again)+search(to go round)→研究；調查
"Recent research has cast new light on the causes of the disease."
最新研究使人們進一步了解了這種疾病的起因.
近義：inquire, investigate, ask, probe, sleuth, study
adj. 可能的;適合的;有希望的;
adv. 可能;或許;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."
這種糕餅用米粉做不那么容易碎。
近義：inclined, apt, liable, ostensible, plausible, possible
反義：imaginary, implausible, improbable, unbelievable, uncertain, utopical
n. 企業;事業;殯儀事業;保證;
v. 擔任( undertake的現在分詞);著手作;
?? under下+tak進行+ing名詞后綴→承諾；事業，企業，殯儀業
"He is interested in buying the club as a commercial undertaking."
他有意購買那個俱樂部作為投資。
近義：job, management, assignment, mission, negotiation, plan
n. 害怕;可能性;（對神等的）敬畏;憂慮;
vt. 畏懼;害怕;為…憂慮（或擔心、焦慮）;敬畏（神等）;
vi. 害怕;憂慮;感到害怕;懼怕;
?? f(像寶劍)+ear(耳):把寶劍放在耳邊威脅- 害怕 網友：zz 補充：f 扶-捂 ear 耳朵 把耳朵捂起來 因為點炮仗害怕
"Being seriously ill, and in fear of death, he made his will."
他病得很重, 害怕會死去, 便立了遺囑.
近義：apprehend, dread, intimidation, panic, awe, terror
反義：hearten, embolden, encourage, heart, intrepidity, manhood