好词典

birthright

UK //ˈbɜːθ.raɪt//US //ˈbɝːθ.raɪt//

词源

源自中古英语 'birthriht',由 birth(出生)和 right(权利)组成,最早记录于13世纪。

noun

❶ 指出生时即拥有的权利或特权,通常指因家庭、国籍或社会地位而自然获得的权利。

“Freedom is the birthright of every human being.”

(自由是每个人与生俱来的权利。)

“He sold his birthright for a bowl of soup.”

(他为了一碗汤出卖了自己的长子继承权。)

同义词:inheritance, privilege, heritage

常见短语

sell one's birthright for a mess of pottage — 比喻为眼前的小利益而放弃重要的长期权益,源自《圣经》中以扫为红豆汤出卖长子权的故事。

“He sold his birthright for a mess of pottage when he quit school for a temporary job.”

(他为了临时工作辍学,就像为红豆汤出卖长子权一样因小失大。)