
chalk
词源
源自古英语「cealc」,借自拉丁语「calx」(石灰),最终源自希腊语「khalix」(卵石)。
noun
❶ 一种白色或彩色的软质矿物质,常用于在黑板上写字或绘画。质地易碎,通常呈条状或粉状。
“The teacher wrote the lesson on the blackboard with a piece of chalk.”
(老师用粉笔在黑板上写下课程内容。)
“Children love drawing on sidewalks with colorful chalk.”
(孩子们喜欢用彩色粉笔在人行道上画画。)
❶ 地质学中特指一种由微生物化石构成的白色沉积岩,质地松软多孔。
“The White Cliffs of Dover are made of chalk.”
(多佛白崖是由白垩岩构成的。)
“Fossils are often found in chalk deposits.”
(化石常出现在白垩沉积层中。)
verb
❶ 用粉笔书写或标记,尤指在运动场上临时划线。也比喻轻松完成某事。
“The referee chalked the foul line on the field.”
(裁判用粉笔在场上划出犯规线。)
“She chalked a smiley face on the sidewalk.”
(她在人行道上用粉笔画了个笑脸。)
常见短语
chalk and cheese — 形容两种事物截然不同,就像粉笔和奶酪一样毫无相似之处。
“Their personalities are like chalk and cheese.”
(他们的性格截然不同。)
chalk it up to — 将某事归因于特定原因,通常指经验或教训。
“Let's chalk it up to a learning experience.”
(我们就当这是个学习经验吧。)