mimic

[ˈmimik]

vt.摹拟

When Life Mimic Art

humdrum

[ˈhʌmdrʌm]

n. the quality of wearisome constancy, routine, and lack of variety

adj.

1. not challenging; dull and lacking excitement

2. tediously repetitious or lacking in variety

vegetate

[ˈvedʒiteit]

v.象植物般生活，无所事事 (百无聊赖)

stimulate

[ˈstimjuleit]

vt.刺激，激励

hinge

hinge [hindʒ]

n.

1. a joint that holds two parts together so that one can swing relative to the other

2. a circumstance upon which subsequent events depend

v. attach with a hinge

obsolete

obsolete [ˈɔbsəli:t]

a.过时的

sterility

sterility: [ ste'riliti ]

n. 不生育,不结果,贫瘠,消毒,无菌

indivisible

indivisible

极微分子；不可分的东西；不可分的；极微的；除不尽的

retrench

[riˈtrentʃ]

v.节省，削减

ploy & resort & postpone

Thus "bread and circuses" is a ploy of last resort that postpones the dissolution of society only temporarily.