好词典

plagues

UK //pleɪɡz//US //pleɪɡz//

词源

源自拉丁语 'plaga'(意为打击、伤害),通过古法语 'plage' 进入英语,最初指神圣的惩罚或灾难。

noun

❶ 指大规模传播的致命疾病,通常造成严重的社会影响,如历史上的黑死病。也比喻持续困扰的难题或灾祸。

“The bubonic plague killed millions in medieval Europe.”

(黑死病在中世纪欧洲夺走了数百万人的生命。)

“Locust plagues destroyed crops across the region.”

(蝗灾摧毁了整个地区的庄稼。)

同义词:epidemic, pestilence, scourge, infestation, calamity

verb

❶ 指持续困扰或折磨某人,使其感到痛苦或烦恼,常用于被动语态。

“The company was plagued by financial problems.”

(这家公司长期受财务问题困扰。)

“He's been plagued with self-doubt since childhood.”

(他从小就被自我怀疑所折磨。)

同义词:afflict, torment, harass, beset, trouble

常见短语

avoid like the plague — 形容极力避开某人或某事物,如同躲避瘟疫一般强烈厌恶或恐惧。

“After the scandal, politicians avoided him like the plague.”

(丑闻发生后,政客们都像避瘟神一样躲着他。)