好词典

desert

UK //ˈdez.ət//US //ˈdez.ɚt//

词源

源自拉丁语 'desertum'(意为荒废的地方),通过古法语 'deserte' 进入英语。名词和动词拼写相同但词源不同:动词来自拉丁语 'deserere'(意为抛弃)。

noun

❶ 指大片干旱、贫瘠、缺乏植被的地区,通常降水量极少,如撒哈拉沙漠。

“The Sahara is the largest hot desert in the world.”

(撒哈拉是世界上最大的炎热沙漠。)

“Camels are well adapted to life in the desert.”

(骆驼非常适应沙漠中的生活。)

同义词:wasteland, wilderness, arid region

verb

❶ 指抛弃或离开某人或某地,尤其在不应该这样做的时候,如士兵擅离职守。

“He deserted his family and went abroad.”

(他抛弃家人去了国外。)

“Many soldiers deserted during the war.”

(许多士兵在战争期间开了小差。)

同义词:abandon, leave, forsake

常见短语

desert island — 指无人居住的偏远岛屿,通常与孤立无援或生存挑战相关。

“He dreamed of being stranded on a desert island.”

(他梦见自己被困在一座荒岛上。)

just deserts — 指某人应得的惩罚或报应,通常用于负面语境。

“The criminal finally got his just deserts.”

(这个罪犯最终得到了应有的惩罚。)