deflate 復習
ラスベガスで救急車が盗まれたという記事からです。
Paramedic truck stolen in Vegas, stopped in California
Authorities say a woman stole a paramedic truck in Las Vegas and led pursuing police officers on a 50-mile (80-kilometer) freeway chase that reached California.
Media outlets reported that Clark County firefighters had parked the truck outside a pharmacy on Friday when the truck was stolen. The woman, whose identity wasn't released, ended the chase on Interstate 15 inside California, apparently realizing officers were going to use tire-puncturing spike strips to stop the vehicle.
Nevada officers had used spike strips that deflated at least two tires but didn't stop the truck.
Las Vegas police, Nevada Highway Patrol troopers and a police helicopter all tailed the ambulance during the chase. California troopers joined the pursuit at the state line.
No additional information was released.
http://abcnews.go.com/Weird/wireStory/paramedic-truck-stolen-vegas-stopped-california-49726396
取り上げる単語は"deflate"です。『ジーニアス英和辞典』第４版（大修館）で調べてみると、「（気球、タイヤ、ボールなどの）空気（ガス）を抜く、…をしぼませる」や「（自尊心）を傷つける、（自信）をくだく」とありました。また、経済用語で「デフレにする」という意味があるため、意味は想像しやすいかと思います。LDOCEでは"if a tyre, balloon etc deflates, or if you deflate it, it gets smaller because the gas inside it comes out"と定義されていました。
警察は女性が運転する盗まれた救急車のタイヤをパンクさせ、止めようとしましたが失敗し、ヘリコプターなどを利用し追跡したとのことです。しかしその後の詳細はまだ発表されていません。(Akim)
