好词典

slaves

UK //sleɪvz//US //sleɪvz//

词源

源自中古英语 sclave,来自古法语 esclave,最终源自中世纪拉丁语 sclavus(斯拉夫人),因许多斯拉夫人曾被卖为奴隶而得名。

noun

❶ 指被他人完全控制、被迫无偿劳动的人,历史上常见于殖民时期或奴隶制社会。现代也用于比喻被某种事物支配的人。

“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。)

“The plantation owners relied heavily on slaves to work the fields.”

(种植园主极度依赖奴隶在田间劳作。)

同义词:bondsman, serf, thrall

verb

❶ 指像奴隶一样辛苦工作,或被迫做繁重劳动。常用于表达被迫从事不情愿的事情。

“She slaved away in the kitchen all day to prepare the feast.”

(她一整天在厨房里辛苦准备宴会。)

“He slaved over his thesis for months.”

(他花了数月时间拼命写论文。)

同义词:toil, drudge, grind

常见短语

slave away — 长时间辛苦工作,通常指不情愿或条件恶劣的劳动。

“He's been slaving away at two jobs to pay off his debts.”

(他一直在做两份工作拼命还债。)

slave to fashion — 形容盲目追随潮流的人,暗示被时尚趋势所控制。

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

(她完全被时尚奴役,总是购买最新潮流单品。)