chief
单词辨析：
语气较强，强调极其重要、必不可少的，暗含某物如缺少某部分，则失去其本质特征的意味。
Water and food are essential to life.
水和食物对生命是必不可少的。
Her most essential quality is kindness.
她最重要的品质是善良。
指构成事物最重要、最根本部分的。
the basic research/rule
基础研究/基本法规
He began to learn the basic principles of chemistry.
他开始学习基本化学原理。
The basic principles must be preserved.
这些基本原则必须保留。
强调相比较而言更重要或更有影响力的。
a central figure/idea/role
主要人物/中心观点/重要角色
She played a central role in the debate.
她在辩论中起到了重要作用。
强调最重要的或等级最高的，只作定语。
a chief engineer/judge
总工程师/审判长
The chief difficulty of this project lies in lack of funds.
这个项目的主要困难在于缺少资金。
指处于某一重要转折点的，强调某事物非常重要，是其他事物依赖的对象。
This new policy is crucial to economic development.
这项新政策对经济发展至关重要。
The work of teachers is crucial in spreading knowledge.
教师的工作对知识的传播起着关键性的作用。
Their support was crucial to the project's success.
他们的支持对项目的成功至关重要。
Negotiations are now at a crucial stage.
目前，谈判正处于关键阶段。
普通用词，指人有权威、有影响力的，或指事物意义重大、有价值的。
She is obviously an important person.
她显然是个举足轻重的人。
It was one of the most important decisions ever made.
这是所作出的最重大的决定之一。
普通用词，多指同类事物中最大、最重要的。
the main force/problem/road/street
主力军/主要问题/主干道/主要街道
She took down the main points of the speech.
她把演讲的要点记了下来。
Snails would, of course, be the main dish.
蜗牛当然会是道主菜。
指国家、民族、政党、组织等的领袖或领导，强调领导能力，含有能够引领、控制被领导者并获得其支持的意味。
He is a very brave and wise leader.
他是一位非常勇敢而英明的领袖。
They work under a kind leader.
他们在一位和蔼的领导手下工作。
尤用于职位头衔和新闻报道中，指公司或机构中地位很高或最高的人；也指部落首领。
The president is also the chief of the armed forces.
总统也是三军的统帅。
The chief of the police came and examined the dead.
警察局长来检查过死者。
I know the Indian chief.
我认识这位印第安人头领。
指机构、团体等的负责人或最高领导。
The original founder is still head of the organization.
最初的创立者现在仍然是这个组织的最高领导。
The head of the workshop ordered that the work be finished in three days.
车间主任下令这项工作必须在3天之内完成。
Bill was appointed head of the election committee.
比尔被任命为选举委员会主席。
相关例句：
He clerked for the chief justice of the Supreme Court.
他为最高法院的大法官做书记员。
Chief Hart had sole control over that fund.
哈特主任独自掌控那笔资金。
Industry and opportunity were the chief factors in his success.
勤奋和机遇是他成功的两大因素。
Rainey's chief interest in life is hunting with hounds.
雷尼生活的最大爱好就是带着猎狗去打猎。
I am astounded at the comments made by the Chief Superintendent.
主管的评语让我大吃一惊。
A deputation of elders from the village arrived headed by its chief.
村里的长者代表团在村长的带领下到达了。