
labours
词源
源自中古英语labouren,来自古法语labourer,最终源自拉丁语laborare(工作)。与labor(劳动)同源。
verb
❶ 指辛勤工作或劳动,通常需要付出较大的体力或脑力努力,强调工作的艰辛和持续性。
“She labours tirelessly to support her family.”
(她不知疲倦地工作以养家糊口。)
“The workers laboured under the scorching sun.”
(工人们在烈日下辛苦劳作。)
❶ 指艰难地前进或移动,通常因为道路崎岖或负担过重而行动缓慢费力。
“The old truck laboured up the steep hill.”
(那辆旧卡车艰难地爬上了陡峭的山坡。)
“She laboured through the deep snow with heavy bags.”
(她背着沉重的袋子在深雪中艰难前行。)
noun
❶ 指艰苦的工作或劳动,通常指需要付出大量体力的工作,也可指脑力劳动。
“The fruits of their labours were finally visible.”
(他们辛勤劳动的成果终于显现出来了。)
“Manual labours often go underappreciated.”
(体力劳动常常得不到应有的赏识。)
❶ 指分娩的过程,特指孕妇生产时的阵痛和分娩活动。
“She went into labours in the early morning.”
(她在凌晨时分开始分娩。)
“The midwife assisted her through the labours.”
(助产士帮助她度过了分娩过程。)
常见短语
labours of love — 指出于热爱而非利益而做的工作,通常指需要付出大量时间精力的创造性工作。
“Restoring the old house was truly a labour of love for him.”
(修复这栋老房子对他来说确实是出于热爱的劳动。)
labour under — 指在某种不利条件下工作或生活,通常指在误解、错误观念或困难情况下。
“He laboured under the illusion that success would come easily.”
(他错误地以为成功会轻易到来。)