好词典

hoof

UK /huːf/US /hʊf/

词源

源自古英语 hōf,与德语 Huf、荷兰语 hoef 同源,原始日耳曼语词根为*hōfaz。

noun

❶ 指马、牛、鹿等有蹄类动物脚底坚硬的角质部分,用于行走和保护脚部。

“The horse's hoof was injured during the race.”

(这匹马的蹄子在比赛中受伤了。)

“Cows have cloven hooves.”

(牛的蹄子是分趾的。)

同义词:foot, paw, trotter

verb

❶ 指用蹄子踢或踩踏的动作,也用于形容人用力行走时发出的沉重脚步声。

“The stallion hoofed the ground impatiently.”

(种马不耐烦地用蹄子刨地。)

“She hoofed it to work after missing the bus.”

(错过公交车后,她步行去上班。)

同义词:kick, trample, stomp

常见短语

on the hoof — 形容牲畜在被宰杀前仍活着的状态,或比喻事情在匆忙中进行而未经过充分准备。

“The cattle were sold on the hoof at the market.”

(这些牛在市场上被活体出售。)

hoof it — 俚语,表示步行或徒步前往某处,通常用于非正式场合。

“Our car broke down, so we had to hoof it to the nearest gas station.”

(车子抛锚了,我们只好步行去最近的加油站。)