好词典

hydra

UK //ˈhaɪdrə//US //ˈhaɪdrə//

词源

源自希腊语 'hydra'(水蛇),与 'hydor'(水)同源。拉丁语保留该词指代神话生物,18世纪后用于命名水生生物。

noun

❶ 希腊神话中的九头蛇,砍掉一个头会再生两个头,象征难以彻底解决的问题。现代常用来比喻复杂难解的事物。

“The corruption scandal proved to be a hydra with new revelations every week.”

(这起腐败丑闻就像九头蛇,每周都有新爆料,难以彻底解决。)

“Dealing with climate change is like fighting a hydra - solving one problem creates others.”

(应对气候变化如同对抗九头蛇,解决一个问题又引发其他问题。)

❶ 水螅,一种淡水小型腔肠动物,具有再生能力的触手状生物。

“Under the microscope, the hydra extended its delicate tentacles to capture prey.”

(显微镜下,水螅伸展它精致的触手捕捉猎物。)

“Hydras are often studied in biology classes due to their remarkable regenerative abilities.”

(由于出色的再生能力,水螅常被用于生物课教学。)

同义词:multi-headed monster, persistent problem, regenerative creature

常见短语

hydra-headed — 形容问题或事物具有多个难以处理的方面或分支,就像九头蛇的多个头一样。

“The company faced a hydra-headed crisis involving legal, financial and PR issues.”

(公司面临涉及法律、财务和公关的多重危机。)