好词典

craven

UK //ˈkreɪv(ə)n//US //ˈkreɪvən//

词源

源自中古英语 cravant,可能来自古法语 cravanté(被击败的),与现代法语 crever(爆裂/死亡)相关。

adjective

❶ 形容人极度胆小懦弱,因害怕危险或困难而不敢面对挑战或承担责任。

“The craven soldier deserted his post during the battle.”

(那个懦弱的士兵在战斗中逃离了岗位。)

“Her craven refusal to stand up for justice disappointed everyone.”

(她怯懦地拒绝为正义发声,让所有人都感到失望。)

同义词:cowardly, spineless, timid, gutless

noun

❶ 指胆小懦弱的人,常带有强烈的贬义色彩。

“History remembers him as a craven who abandoned his people.”

(历史将他记载为抛弃人民的懦夫。)

“The bullies only target cravens who won't fight back.”

(霸凌者只会欺负不敢反抗的懦夫。)

同义词:coward, weakling, poltroon

常见短语

craven fear — 形容极端不合理的恐惧,通常指因性格懦弱而产生的过度害怕。

“His craven fear of spiders made him scream at the sight of a tiny one.”

(他对蜘蛛病态的恐惧让他看到一只小蜘蛛就尖叫。)