好词典

cavern

UK //ˈkæv.ən//US //ˈkæv.ɚn//

词源

源自拉丁语 'caverna'(洞穴),通过古法语 'caverne' 进入英语,与 'cave' 同源。

noun

❶ 指天然形成的大型地下洞穴,通常由岩石侵蚀或溶解形成,空间广阔且可能有奇特的地貌特征。

“The explorers discovered a vast cavern with glittering stalactites.”

(探险者们发现了一个悬挂着闪亮钟乳石的巨大洞穴。)

“Bats were hanging from the ceiling of the dark cavern.”

(蝙蝠群悬挂在幽暗洞窟的顶部。)

❶ 比喻性用法,形容某个空间像洞穴般深邃、黑暗或空旷。

“The abandoned warehouse felt like a cold, echoing cavern.”

(废弃的仓库像个冰冷且回荡着回声的洞穴。)

“Her mouth opened like a cavern when she yawned.”

(她打哈欠时嘴巴张得像个大山洞。)

同义词:cave, grotto, hollow, underground chamber

常见短语

cavernous space — 形容某个场所或空间像洞穴般异常巨大且空旷,常带有回声效果。

“The cathedral's cavernous interior could hold thousands of people.”

(大教堂洞穴般的内部空间可容纳数千人。)