好词典

savage

UK //ˈsæv.ɪdʒ//US //ˈsæv.ɪdʒ//

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。)

同义词:fierce, brutal, wild

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。)

同义词:barbarian, brute, primitive

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。)

同义词:attack, criticize, maul

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。)