好词典

plague

UK //pleɪɡ//US //pleɪɡ//

词源

源自拉丁语 'plaga'(打击、伤害),通过古法语 'plage' 进入英语,最初指灾难性传染病。

noun

❶ 指严重的传染病,尤指历史上造成大规模死亡的鼠疫,也比喻持续存在的麻烦或困扰。

“The Black Death was a devastating plague in the 14th century.”

(黑死病是14世纪一场毁灭性的瘟疫。)

“Locust swarms are a plague to farmers.”

(蝗虫群对农民来说是一场灾祸。)

同义词:epidemic, pestilence, scourge

verb

❶ 长期困扰或折磨某人,使其感到痛苦或烦恼,常用于被动语态。

“Financial problems plagued the family for years.”

(财务问题困扰了这个家庭多年。)

“The team was plagued by injuries this season.”

(该球队本赛季饱受伤病困扰。)

同义词:afflict, torment, harass

常见短语

avoid like the plague — 像躲避瘟疫一样极力避开某人或某事物,表达强烈的厌恶或回避态度。

“After the betrayal, she avoided him like the plague.”

(遭遇背叛后,她像躲瘟疫一样躲着他。)