
pygmy
词源
源自希腊语 'pugmaios'(意为'拳头大小'),通过拉丁语 'pygmaeus' 进入英语,最初指传说中身高约一肘(27英寸)的非洲矮人族。
noun
❶ 指生活在非洲、东南亚等地的某些矮小种族,成年男性平均身高不足1.5米。也泛指任何身材异常矮小的人或动物。
“The Pygmy tribes have lived in the Congo rainforest for centuries.”
(俾格米部落已在刚果雨林中生活了几个世纪。)
“Scientists discovered a pygmy elephant species in Borneo.”
(科学家在婆罗洲发现了一种侏儒象。)
❶ 比喻在能力、地位等方面微不足道的人或事物,带有贬义。
“In terms of innovation, the company is a pygmy compared to tech giants.”
(在创新方面,这家公司与科技巨头相比微不足道。)
“He was a political pygmy despite his arrogant attitude.”
(尽管态度傲慢,他在政治上是个无足轻重的人物。)
adjective
❶ 形容体型异常小的,或指与俾格米人相关的。也可比喻事物在规模或重要性上微不足道。
“We saw a pygmy hippopotamus at the zoo.”
(我们在动物园看到了一只侏儒河马。)
“The pygmy date palm is perfect for small gardens.”
(侏儒枣椰树非常适合小花园种植。)
常见短语
pygmy chimpanzee — 指倭黑猩猩(学名Pan paniscus),比普通黑猩猩体型更小且更温顺的物种。
“Pygmy chimpanzees are known for resolving conflicts through affection.”
(倭黑猩猩以通过亲昵行为解决冲突而闻名。)
pygmy goat — 人工培育的矮小山羊品种,常作为宠物饲养。
“Children love feeding the pygmy goats at the petting zoo.”
(孩子们喜欢在宠物动物园喂养侏儒山羊。)