society noun ⇨community (a wide cross-section of society)⇨culture (a multicultural society)⇨elite (high society)⇨union (a dramatic society)
community
noun
community ♦︎ society ♦︎ population ♦︎ the public ♦︎ the country ♦︎ the nationThese are all words for all the people who live in a country or area.这些词均表示一个国家或地区的所有人口、国民、民众。PATTERNS AND COLLOCATIONS 句型和搭配◆the community / society / the population / the public / the country / the nation at large◆the community / society / the population / the public / the country / the nation as a whole◆the entire community / population / country / nation◆the general community / population / public◆the wider community / society / population / public◆to shock the community / public / country / nation◆the rest of the community / society / the population / the country / the nation◆a section / cross-section of the community / society / the population / the public◆a member of the community / society / the population / the public■community [singular] all the people who live in a particular local area when talked about as a group社区；社会◆The local community was shocked by the murders.当地社会对这些谋杀案感到震惊。◆There needs to be more support for the elderly in the community(= in the local area).对社区内的老年人需要提供更多帮助。◆He urged the international community(= the countries of the world as a group) to take decisive action on debt relief.他呼吁国际社会就债务减免问题采取果断行动。■society [uncountable] people in general, living together in communities社会（以群体形式生活在一起的人的总称）◆They carried out research into the roles of men and women in today's society.他们就男女在当今社会中扮演的角色展开研究。◆Racism exists at all levels of society.种族主义存在于社会各阶层。■population [countable + singular or plural verb, uncountable] all the people who live in a particular area, city or country; the total number of people who live somewhere（地区、城市或国家的）人口，人口数量◆One third of the world's population consumes two thirds of the world's resources.世界上三分之一的人口消耗着全球三分之二的资源。◆Muslims make up 55% of the population.穆斯林占人口的55%。◆Japan has a very high population density.日本的人口密度很高。■the public [singular + singular or plural verb] the ordinary people in a country, especially when compared with politicians or famous people平民，百姓，民众（尤与政界人物或名人相对）◆The public has the right to know what is contained in the report.民众有权了解报告的内容。◆The palace is now open to the public.这座宫殿现已向公众开放。 see also the general public ⇨ the general public■the country [singular] all the people of a country全国人民；国民；全民◆It was the rich, rather than the country as a whole, that benefited from the reforms.是富人，而非全体国民从改革中得益了。◆The issue of the single currency has divided the country.国民对单一货币问题存在分歧。■the nation [singular] all the people of a country全国人民；国民；全民◆The entire nation, it seemed, was watching TV.好像全国的人都在看电视。◆The savage murder shocked the nation.残忍的凶杀案震惊全国。NOTE辨析 The country or the nation?In many cases you can use either word. The country is used slightly more when talking about political and economic issues; the nation is used slightly more when talking about cultural issues.在许多情况下这两个词可以通用。the country略多用于谈及政治和经济问题，the nation略多用于谈及文化问题。
culture
noun
culture ♦︎ society ♦︎ community ♦︎ world ♦︎ civilization ♦︎ raceThese are all words for groups of people who share the same customs, beliefs and way of life.这些词均表示人类群体。PATTERNS AND COLLOCATIONS 句型和搭配◆(the) Western culture / society / world / civilization◆(the) Arab / Islamic culture / society / community / world◆European / American / African, etc. culture / society / civilization◆an / the English-speaking culture / community / world◆(a / an / the) ancient / modern / contemporary culture / society / world / civilization◆(an) industrial culture / society / community / civilization◆a primitive culture / society / community / race◆(a) traditional / mainstream culture / society / community◆a / the secular culture / society / world◆to create a culture / society / civilization■culture [uncountable, countable] the customs and beliefs, art, way of life and social organization of a particular country or group; a country or group with its own customs, beliefs, etc.文化，文明（指特定国家或群体的风俗、信仰、艺术、生活方式及社会组织，或拥有特定习俗、信仰等的国家、群体）◆These ideas have always been central to Western culture.这些观念一直是西方文明的核心。◆As young people started to have more money, a significant youth culture developed.当年轻人开始更有钱时，一种重要的青年文化形成了。◆The children are taught to respect different cultures.孩子们受到教育要尊重不同的文化。■society [countable, uncountable] a country or group of people who share the same customs and laws社会（遵守相同习俗和法律的国家或群体）◆Can Britain ever be a classless society?英国能否有朝一日成为无阶级的社会？◆Singapore has a delicately balanced multicultural society.新加坡是一个多元文化达到微妙平衡的社会。◆They were discussing the problems of Western society.他们在讨论西方社会的问题。■community [countable + singular or plural verb] a group of people who share the same race, religion, job or interests, especially when they live in the same place团体；社团；界；（尤指）社区◆Representatives of the city's Asian community had a meeting with the mayor.该市的亚裔团体代表和市长进行了会谈。◆He grew up in a close-knit fishing community.他生长在一个紧密团结的渔业社区。■world [countable, usually singular] a particular part of the earth; a particular group of countries or people; a particular period of history and the people of that period某地域（或民族、历史时期）的人类社会；世界◆Heads of state from all over the Arab world gathered for the conference.所有阿拉伯世界的国家首脑为了这次会议聚在一起。◆The motto was inscribed on buildings throughout the Roman world.那句箴言雕刻在罗马世界各地的建筑上。■civilization (BrE alsocivilisation) /ˌsɪvəlaɪˈzeɪʃn; NAmEˌsɪvəlaləˈzeɪʃn/ [uncountable, countable] a society and its culture during a particular period of time or in a particular part of the world（特定时期或地区的）社会文明◆These diseases are common in Western civilization.这些疾病在西方社会很常见。◆The Minoan civilization of Crete used two forms of script.克里特岛的米诺斯文明使用两种形式的文字。ⓘ Civilization is used especially to describe a society which is considered to have a highly developed social structure, art and beliefs. Ancient civilizations include the Greeks, the Romans, the Egyptians, the Chinese and the Sumerians. * civilization尤用于描述被认为具有高度发达的社会结构、艺术和信仰的社会。ancient civilization（古代文明）包括希腊、罗马、埃及、中国和苏美尔文明。■race [countable] a group of people who share the same language, history and culture民族◆Evidence suggests they were a race of nomadic hunters.证据显示他们属于游猎民族。◆He admired Canadians as a hardy and determined race.他敬佩加拿大人，因为他们是吃苦耐劳、意志坚定的民族。 see also race ⇨ people2
elite
noun
elite ♦︎ society ♦︎ the nobility ♦︎ the aristocracy ♦︎ the gentry ♦︎ the upper classThese are all words for the group of people in a society who belong to a high social class and/or have a lot of power, money or influence.这些词均表示上层社会、掌权阶级。PATTERNS AND COLLOCATIONS 句型和搭配◆among the elite / nobility / aristocracy / gentry / upper class◆the local elite / nobility / aristocracy / gentry◆the British / French, etc. elite / nobility / aristocracy / gentry / upper class◆the landed / landowning / minor / lesser nobility / aristocracy / gentry◆to belong to an elite / the nobility / the aristocracy / the gentry / the upper classes■elite /eɪˈliːt, ɪˈliːt/ [countable + singular or plural verb] a group of people in a society or area of activity who are powerful and have a lot of influence, because they are rich and/or educated上层集团；掌权阶层；社会精英◆In these countries, only the elite can afford an education for their children.在这些国家，只有上层人士才供得起子女上学。◆He came from the country's intellectual elite.他属于这个国家的知识界精英。 see also elite ⇨ topadj., elitist ⇨ exclusive■society [uncountable] a group of people in a country or area who are fashionable, rich and powerful上流社会◆She was a poor Irish girl who married into New York society.她本是爱尔兰穷人家的女儿，嫁到了纽约上流社会。◆She moved in high society and had many literary friends.她进入了上流社会，结识了很多文学界的朋友。◆The revelations have outraged polite society.披露的真相激怒了上流社会。◆He was a popular photographer for society weddings.他是个有名气的摄影师，专为上层社会婚礼提供服务。■the nobility [singular + singular or plural verb](in some countries) people of the highest social class, who have special titles such as Duke or Duchess（某些国家的）贵族◆She had some influential supporters, including members of the nobility.她有一些影响力很大的支持者，其中包括贵族成员。 see also noble ⇨ lordnoun, noble ⇨ aristocraticadj.■the aristocracy /ˌærɪˈstɒkrəsi; NAmEˌærɪˈstɑːkrəsi/ [countable + singular or plural verb](in some countries) people of the highest social class, who have special titles such as Duke or Duchess（某些国家的）贵族◆He claimed to be a member of the minor aristocracy(= with a lower title).他自称是有低等爵位的贵族。 see also aristocrat ⇨ lord, aristocratic ⇨ aristocratic■the gentry [plural](used to talk about the past) people belonging to a high social class（旧时的）绅士阶层，上流社会人士◆The influence of the Church and the landed gentry(= those owning a lot of land) at that time cannot be overemphasized.当时教会和乡绅的影响力非常之大。NOTE辨析 Nobility, aristocracy or Gentry?The nobility or the aristocracy are the group of people in some countries, especially in the past, who were born in the highest social class, below royalty. They have special titles such as Duke, Duchess, Count or Earl. They are usually rich and powerful, and often own land. In the past, the gentry were people with a high social class, just below the nobility in rank, who were usually rich and owned land, but did not always have special titles, and were usually powerful at a local level rather than at a national level.在一些国家，the nobility或the aristocracy尤指旧时出身仅在皇族之下的贵族。这些人拥有诸如公爵、女公爵或伯爵等封号，通常有财有势，还常拥有土地。在过去，the gentry指社会地位仅次于贵族的上层人士，这些人通常很富有且拥有土地，但不一定有封号，在当地通常非常有权势，但其影响力未达全国范围。■the ˌupper ˈclass [singular + singular or plural verb] (especially NAmE) ( the ˌupper ˈclasses [plural]) the group of people in a society that are considered to have the highest social status and that have more money and/or power than other people上流社会；上等阶层◆They produced luxury furniture for the middle and upper classes.他们为中上等阶层生产豪华家具。ⓘ The upper class is sometimes used to refer just to the aristocracy, but is often used with a wider meaning, including the gentry and sometimes also business and professional people with enough money to buy the property, education and culture needed to enable them to mix socially with other members of the upper class. * the upper class有时专指贵族，但其含义常比较宽泛，涵盖绅士阶层，有时甚至包括那些有经济实力的商人和专业人士，他们购置房产、接受高等教育和文化熏陶，进而能融入到上流社会中◆Wealthy industrialists joined the upper class by virtue of their newly acquired spending power.富有的实业家凭借他们刚获得的高消费能力步入了上层社会。 see also class ⇨ class4, the middle class ⇨ the middle classnoun, the working class ⇨ the general public, upper class ⇨ aristocratic
union
noun
➡ See also the entry for ⇨ organization另见organization条union ♦︎ club ♦︎ association ♦︎ society ♦︎ alliance ♦︎ league ♦︎ coalition ♦︎ federation ♦︎ guildThese are all words for groups of people, workers, political parties or other organizations who share an interest or purpose.这些词均表示社团、工会、联盟、协会。PATTERNS AND COLLOCATIONS 句型和搭配◆a national union / club / association / society / league / coalition / federation◆a local union / club / association / society / coalition / federation◆an international union / club / association / league / coalition / federation◆a strong union / alliance / coalition / guild◆a loose association / alliance / coalition / federation◆a trade union / association / federation / guild◆a political club / association / society / alliance / coalition◆a professional union / club / association / society◆to form a union / a club / an association / a society / an alliance / a league / a coalition / a federation◆to set up a union / a club / an association / a society / a league / a federation◆to join a union / a club / an association / a society / an alliance / a league / a coalition / a federation◆to belong to a union / a club / an association / a society / an alliance / a federation◆a union / a club / an association / a society meets◆a member of a union / a club / an association / a society / an alliance / a league / a coalition / a federation / a guild■union [countable] an organization of workers, especially from the same industry; a group of people or organizations with the same interests工会；协会；联合会◆The union represents 40% of all hospital workers.该工会代表医院40%员工的利益。◆He has been appointed head of the Welsh Rugby Union(= sports organization).他已被任命为威尔士橄榄球协会主席。ⓘ A workers' union is also called a trade union or trades union in British English, or a labor union in American English. Trade unions exist to protect the interests of workers and to improve their conditions of work.工会在英式英语中亦称作trade union或trades union，在美式英语中亦称作labor union。trade union的存在是为了保护工人的利益和改善他们的工作条件。■club [countable + singular or plural verb] (especially in compounds尤用于构成复合词) a group of people who meet together regularly for a particular activity or sport俱乐部；社团；会◆She plays at the local tennis club.她在当地的网球俱乐部打球。◆She gives talks at local schools and youth clubs.她到当地的学校和青年俱乐部演讲。◆Fan club members can get concert tickets at a discount.歌迷会成员购买音乐会门票有优惠。ⓘ In British English a club is also a professional sports organization that includes the players, managers, owners and members.在英式英语中，club亦可指包括运动员、主教练、老板和会员在内的职业运动俱乐部。 see also club ⇨ team2■association [countable + singular or plural verb] an official group of people who have joined together for a particular purpose协会；社团；联盟◆The Football Association has launched an investigation into the incident.足球协会已对此事展开调查。◆Local councils have begun to work closely with housing associations.地方政务委员会已开始与房屋协会密切合作。◆Do you belong to any professional or trade associations?你是否加入了任何专业学会或行业协会？■society [countable] (especially in names尤用于名称) a group of people who have joined together for a particular purpose社团；协会；学会◆the American Society of Newspaper Editors美国报纸主编协会◆the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds皇家鸟类保护协会◆He made few friends and joined few clubs or societies.他没交几个朋友，也没怎么加入俱乐部和协会。NOTE辨析 Club, association or society?Groups of people who have a shared interest or purpose use all of these words as part of the name of their group, often for historical reasons. A club tends to be involved with a leisure interest, such as a sport or hobby and can be quite informal. A drama club, for example, might be more informal than a more traditional dramatic society. An association is usually an official group representing or concerned with a professional area or a social issue.拥有共同兴趣或目的的一群人所组成的团体，其名称可以用这些词中的任何一个，至于是哪一个常常是由历史原因决定的。club往往跟业余活动有关，如某项运动或爱好，有时不是很正式。比如，drama club可能比传统的dramatic society更非正式。association通常指代表某一专业领域或与某一社会问题相关的官方团体◆a trade / professional / residents' / housing association行业协会；专业学会；居民联合会；房屋协会A society often has an academic interest. Most British universities have a number of societies which students with a particular interest, such as history, politics or music can join. Society is also often used in the names of charities. * society往往跟学术兴趣有关，英国大多数大学都有一些society，有某方面爱好，比如喜欢历史、政治或音乐的学生可以加入。society亦常用于慈善机构的名称。■alliance / /əˈlaɪəns/ / [countable] a group formed by several different people or groups, especially political parties, who work together for a particular purpose（尤指政党的）结盟团体，联盟◆The Movement for Multiparty Democracy was a loose alliance of opposition parties.多党制民主运动是各反对党的一个松散的联盟。■league / /liːg/ / [countable] (often used in the names of organizations常用于组织的名称) a group of people or countries that have combined for a particular purpose联盟；同盟◆the League of Nations国际联盟◆a meeting of the Women's League for Peace妇女和平联盟会议■coalition / /ˌkəʊəˈlɪʃn; NAmEˌkoʊəˈlɪʃn/ [countable] a group formed of several different groups, especially political parties, who agree to work together for a particular purpose（尤指政党的）联合体，联盟◆The network is a global coalition of environmental and consumer groups.这个圈子网罗了全球的环境保护团体和消费者团体。NOTE辨析 Alliance or coalition?An alliance can be formed by different people or groups coming together; a coalition can only be formed by two or more groups that already exist. * alliance可由不同的人或群体联合而成，coalition只可由已经存在的两个或多个团体联合而成。■federation /ˌfedəˈreɪʃn/ / [countable] a group of clubs, trade unions, etc. that have joined together to form a large organization（俱乐部、工会等的）联合会◆He proposed a loose federation of small, local groups.他提议小型的地方性团体组成一个松散的联合会。◆the British Athletics Federation英国田径运动联合会■guild / /gɪld/ / [countable + singular or plural verb] an organization of people who do the same job or who have the same interests or aims; an association of skilled workers in the Middle Ages（行业）协会；（中世纪的）行会，同业公会◆He is an active member of the Screen Actors' Guild.他是电影演员协会的活跃成员。◆The building originally belonged to the guild of clockmakers.这座建筑最初归钟表匠行会所有。ⓘ Professional groups that have guild as part of their name often started as guilds of craftsmen in the past.名称中含guild的专业协会，其前身常为昔日的工匠行会。