好词典

cows

UK //kaʊz//US //kaʊz//

词源

源自古英语cū(单数)和cȳ(复数),源自原始日耳曼语*kūz,与德语Kuh、荷兰语koe同源。动词意义来自古挪威语kúga(压迫)。

noun

❶ 指成年母牛,是cow的复数形式,通常指用于产奶或肉用的雌性牛类动物。

“The farmer milks the cows every morning.”

(农民每天早上给奶牛挤奶。)

“We saw a herd of cows grazing in the field.”

(我们看到一群牛在田野里吃草。)

同义词:cattle, bovines, milkers

verb

❶ 指通过恐吓或威胁使某人屈服或顺从,常用于被动语态。

“He was cowed into silence by their threats.”

(他被他们的威胁吓得不敢出声。)

“The bully tried to cow the smaller children.”

(恶霸试图吓唬较小的孩子们。)

同义词:intimidate, bully, frighten

常见短语

till the cows come home — 指很长时间,通常用来形容做某事需要很长时间或永远做不完。

“You can argue till the cows come home, but I won't change my mind.”

(你可以一直争论下去,但我不会改变主意。)

sacred cow — 指不容批评或质疑的人、事物或制度,通常带有讽刺意味。

“The monarchy is often seen as a sacred cow in that country.”

(在那个国家,君主制常常被视为不容质疑的存在。)