好词典

lunatic

UK //ˈluː.nə.tɪk//US //ˈluː.nə.tɪk//

词源

源自拉丁语 'lunaticus'(受月亮影响的),古时认为精神疾病与月相变化有关。通过古法语 'lunatique' 进入英语。

noun

❶ 指精神失常或行为极端疯狂的人,常用于非正式场合,可能带有冒犯性。原指受月亮(luna)影响而精神错乱的人。

“The old man was shouting at the clouds like a lunatic.”

(那个老人对着云大喊大叫,像个疯子。)

“Only a lunatic would drive that fast on icy roads.”

(只有疯子才会在结冰的路面上开那么快。)

❶ 形容词用法,描述极其愚蠢或疯狂的行为,强调行为不合常理。

“That's a lunatic idea – we'd never make any profit!”

(这主意太疯狂了,我们根本赚不到钱!)

“The team came up with a lunatic plan to cross the desert on foot.”

(团队提出了徒步穿越沙漠的疯狂计划。)

同义词:madman, maniac, psycho, crazy person, nutcase

常见短语

lunatic fringe — 指群体中观点最极端、行为最激进的少数人,常含贬义。

“Most protesters were peaceful, except for the lunatic fringe throwing rocks.”

(除了扔石头的极端分子外,大多数抗议者是和平的。)