
savage
词源
源自中古英语sauvage,古法语sauvage,拉丁语silvaticus(意为'属于森林的'),与silva(森林)相关。
adjective
❶ 形容人或动物极其凶猛、残暴,缺乏文明社会的克制与教养。常用于描述原始部落或未开化的行为。
“The savage beast attacked the villagers without warning.”
(那只凶猛的野兽毫无预兆地袭击了村民。)
“His savage criticism left her in tears.”
(他尖刻的批评让她泪流满面。)
noun
❶ 指未开化的人或野蛮人,常带有贬义。也可形容行为粗鲁、缺乏教养的人。
“The novel depicts the conflict between civilized people and savages.”
(这部小说描绘了文明人与野蛮人之间的冲突。)
“He acted like a complete savage at the dinner party.”
(他在晚宴上的举止像个十足的野蛮人。)
verb
❶ 猛烈攻击或批评,通常指言辞或行为上的激烈打击。
“The media savaged the politician's reputation.”
(媒体猛烈抨击了那位政治家的声誉。)
“The lion savaged its prey with terrifying speed.”
(狮子以惊人的速度撕咬猎物。)
常见短语
savage beauty — 形容原始、野性而令人震撼的美,常用于描述自然景观或具有冲击力的艺术表现。
“The savage beauty of the Arctic landscape took our breath away.”
(北极地区原始而壮丽的景色让我们惊叹不已。)
savage irony — 指极其尖锐或残酷的讽刺,常带有令人不适的真实性。
“There was a savage irony in his praise for the corrupt official.”
(他对那个腐败官员的赞扬中带着尖锐的讽刺。)