
好词典

源自中古英语 scarsly,由 scarce(稀少的)加副词后缀 -ly 构成,最终可追溯至古法语 escars(稀少的)。
❶ 表示几乎不、几乎没有,强调数量极少或程度极低,常与完成时态连用,带有否定意味。
“She had scarcely finished her meal when the phone rang.”
(她刚吃完饭电话就响了。)
“There was scarcely any food left in the fridge.”
(冰箱里几乎没剩下什么食物。)
scarcely...when/before — 表示“刚...就...”,用于描述一个动作紧接着另一个动作发生,强调时间上的紧凑。
“Scarcely had I closed my eyes when the alarm went off.”
(我刚闭上眼睛闹钟就响了。)