好词典

slave

UK //sleɪv//US //sleɪv//

词源

源自中古英语 'sclave',来自古法语 'esclave',最终源于中世纪拉丁语 'Sclavus'(斯拉夫人),因中世纪斯拉夫人常被贩卖为奴。

noun

❶ 奴隶,指被他人完全控制、没有自由的人,通常被迫从事劳动或服务。历史上常见于奴隶制社会。

“In ancient Rome, slaves were often captured in wars.”

(在古罗马,奴隶通常是在战争中被俘获的人。)

“She worked like a slave for her employer without fair pay.”

(她像奴隶一样为雇主工作,却没有得到公平的报酬。)

❶ 比喻完全受某种事物控制或支配的人,比如习惯、欲望或技术设备。

“He's a slave to fashion, always buying the latest trends.”

(他是时尚的奴隶,总是购买最新潮流单品。)

“Don't be a slave to your phone—take a break from screens.”

(别成为手机的奴隶,适当远离屏幕休息一下。)

同义词:bondservant, thrall, serf

verb

❶ 辛苦地工作,像奴隶一样拼命劳动,通常指长时间或高强度的工作。

“She slaved away at her desk all night to finish the report.”

(她整晚伏案工作,拼命完成报告。)

“They slaved in the fields under the hot sun.”

(他们在烈日下的田地里辛苦劳作。)

同义词:toil, grind, drudge

常见短语

slave away — 长时间辛苦工作,通常带有不情愿或被迫的意味。

“He's been slaving away at his thesis for months.”

(他几个月来一直在拼命写论文。)

slave driver — 指苛刻的监工或老板,让人过度工作的人。

“Our boss is a real slave driver—he expects us to work weekends.”

(我们老板真是个苛刻的监工,他指望我们周末也工作。)