/'pɪvət; `pɪvət/
n
1 central point, pin or shaft on which sth turns 中心点; 支点; 枢; 枢轴.
2 (fig 比喻) central or most important person or thing 中心的或最重要的人或事物
*Because her job had been the pivot of her life, retirement was very difficult. 因为她的工作一向是她生命的支柱, 所以退休後的日子很不好过.
* That is the pivot of the whole argument. 这是整个论据的关键. =>illus at scale 见scale插图.

v
1 (a) [I, Ipr] ~ (on sth) turn (as) on a pivot （似）在枢轴上转动
*The doll pivots at the waist and neck. 那洋娃娃的腰和颈可以转动.
* She pivoted on her heels and swept out. 她一转身, 匆匆走了出去.
(b) [Tn, Tn.pr] provide (sth) with a pivot; mount on a pivot 给（某物）安枢轴; 装于枢轴上.
2 (phr v) pivot on sth(no passive 不用于被动语态) (of an argument, etc) dependon sth central or essential; hinge on sth （指论证等）取决于某中心或要点, 随某事物而转移
*The whole discussion pivots on this one point. 整个讨论内容均以此点为准.