好词典

elephants

UK //ˈel.ɪ.fənts//US //ˈel.ə.fənts//

词源

源自希腊语 'elephas',意为'象牙'或'大象',后经拉丁语 'elephantus' 传入英语。

noun

❶ 大象,一种体型庞大、长有长鼻和象牙的哺乳动物,生活在非洲和亚洲的热带地区。

“Elephants are known for their intelligence and strong social bonds.”

(大象以其智慧和强烈的社会纽带而闻名。)

“The elephants at the zoo are fed twice a day.”

(动物园里的大象每天喂食两次。)

同义词:pachyderms, mammoths, giants

常见短语

white elephant — 指昂贵但无用或难以维护的物品,源自暹罗(今泰国)赠送白象给不受欢迎的臣民的传统。

“The old mansion became a white elephant for the family due to high maintenance costs.”

(由于高昂的维护费用,这座古老的豪宅成了这个家庭的白象。)