好词典

briar

UK //ˈbraɪə(r)//US //ˈbraɪər//

词源

源自古英语 brēr,与古高地德语 brāo(荆棘)同源,后受法语 bruyère(石楠)影响衍生出烟斗义项。

noun

❶ 指一种多刺的灌木或野蔷薇,常见于欧洲和北美地区,枝条坚硬且带刺。

“The path was overgrown with briars and thorns.”

(小路上长满了荆棘和野蔷薇。)

“He got his sleeve caught on a briar while hiking.”

(徒步时他的袖子被一根荆棘钩住了。)

❶ 特指用石楠根制作的烟斗,因木质坚硬且耐热而闻名。

“He smoked his favorite briar pipe after dinner.”

(晚餐后他抽着最爱的石楠根烟斗。)

“A well-made briar can last for decades.”

(制作精良的石楠根烟斗能用几十年。)

同义词:thornbush, bramble, wild rose

常见短语

briar patch — 指荆棘丛生的地方,常比喻复杂棘手的困境。源自《雷姆斯叔叔》童话。

“The political scandal became a real briar patch for the administration.”

(这桩政治丑闻成了政府真正的棘手难题。)