1. avarice /ˈævərɪs/ n. 贪婪；贪心

People who suffer from avarice spend much less and save much more than they should.

那些贪心的人们，花的比他们应花的少，而省的比他们应省的多。

2. dowry /'daʊrɪ/ n. 嫁妆

With his wife's dowry, the young attorney was able to open a law office.

这个年轻的律师用他妻子的嫁妆开了一家律师事务所。

3. means /mi:nz/ n. 金钱；财富

To own an expensive home, a yacht and a limousine, you have to be a man of means.

要拥有一幢昂贵的房子、一艘游艇和一部豪华轿车，你就得很有钱。

4. opulence /'ɒpjələns/ n. 富裕；丰富

Dickens contrasts the opulence of France's nobility with the indigence of her peasants.

狄更斯将法兰西贵族的富裕与农民的贫穷做了对比。

5. covet /'kʌvət/ vt. 垂涎；贪图（尤指属于他人的东西）

Peter coveted his neighbor's farm but could not get her to sell it. 

彼得对邻居的田垂涎三尺，却没办法让她卖掉这块田。

6. fleece /fli:s/ vt. （喻）骗取（某人）

If your brother paid $400 for that car, he was fleeced. The mechanic says it is worth $150.

如果你弟弟花了400美元买那部车，那他就被骗了。技工说那部车只值150美元。