每日一词学英语(136-11/09/09): tantalisingly

这个词是英式独有的拼写，注意那个s。英、美式一般的写法是，tantalizingly。
动词tantalize的意思是make a person or an animal want sth that they cannot have or do，挑逗，将某种令人渴望的事物摆在（另一个人或动物）面前同时却又把它放在够不着的地方以达到刺激目的。
tantalizing：非常着急的。
tantalizingly：...得令人着急，...到令人着急的程度。

英国对抗猪流感的战斗一直在进行着。Prof Sir Liam Donaldson, the Chief Medical Officer说，I think that we are tantalisingly close to being able to win the battle against this pandemic virus. (From Telegraph, 10 September 2009: Swine flu: Britain 'tantalisingly close to winning fight') 这场战斗即将取得胜利，不过还没完全取胜，正到了最后令人抓狂的阶段。要防止10月第二波病毒，采取即时、有效预防措施。

*The tantalizing aroma of fresh coffee wafted towards them.
*a tantalizing glimpse of the future
*The branch was tantalizingly out of reach. 怎么够也够不着那根树枝，真让人着急。