They made a clause-by-clause rebuttal of the letter.
他们对这封信逐句作了反驳。
2. wield v. 行使，施加
The trade unions were afraid the government would wield a big stick over them.
工会担心政府会采了严厉的措施来对付他们。
3. define v. 规定，定义
Definitions should not be more difficult to understand than the words they define.
词语的定义不应比所解释的词语更难理解。
4. sole a. 独占的，唯一的
The sole redeeming feature of this job is the salary.
这份工作唯其薪水尚可弥补一切之不足。
5. observation n. 观察，观察力
The fault escaped observation (ie was not spotted) for months.
这故障数月来未引起注意。
