
好词典

源自希腊语 'prophēteia'(预言),通过拉丁语 'prophetia' 传入古法语,最终形成英语词汇。词根 'pro-'(在前) + 'phēmi'(说话)。
❶ 指某人声称通过神启或超自然力量预言未来事件,通常带有宗教或神秘色彩。
“The ancient priest prophesied that a great flood would come.”
(古代祭司预言一场大洪水将会来临。)
“She prophesied the fall of the kingdom years before it happened.”
(她在王国覆灭多年前就预言了这一事件。)
❶ 表示对未来可能发生的事情做出预测或断言,不一定涉及超自然力量。
“Economists have prophesied a recession for next year.”
(经济学家预测明年会出现经济衰退。)
“The scientist prophesied that global temperatures would continue to rise.”
(这位科学家预言全球气温将持续上升。)
self-fulfilling prophecy — 指因为相信预言会实现而采取的行动最终导致预言成真的情况。
“The economic crisis became a self-fulfilling prophecy when everyone started withdrawing their savings.”
(当所有人都开始提取存款时,经济危机就成了自我实现的预言。)