好词典

feather

UK //ˈfeðə(r)//US //ˈfeðər//

词源

源自古英语'feþer',与荷兰语'veer'、德语'Feder'同源,原始日耳曼语词根*fethrō。

noun

❶ 鸟类身体表面覆盖的轻软结构,由角质蛋白构成,具有保护、保暖和飞行功能。

“The peacock displayed its colorful feathers to attract a mate.”

(孔雀展示其色彩斑斓的羽毛来吸引配偶。)

“She found a white feather on the windowsill.”

(她在窗台上发现了一根白色羽毛。)

同义词:plume, quill, down

verb

❶ 用羽毛装饰或覆盖某物,或指桨叶与水面保持平行以减少阻力。

“The craftsman feathered the arrow with precision.”

(工匠精准地为箭矢装上羽毛。)

“Rowers must learn to feather their oars correctly.”

(划船者必须学会正确地平放船桨。)

同义词:adorn, trim, decorate

常见短语

birds of a feather — 形容有相似性格、兴趣或背景的人,中文常译为'物以类聚'。

“The two artists quickly became friends - birds of a feather flock together.”

(两位艺术家很快成为朋友——物以类聚人以群分。)

feather in one's cap — 指值得骄傲的成就或荣誉,就像帽子上装饰的羽毛一样显眼。

“Winning the scholarship was a real feather in her cap.”

(获得奖学金是她引以为豪的成就。)